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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I want to thank and acknowledge the treasured support of some individuals who

stood with me and cheered me throughout the process of completing this work. The fact

that they were all not detailed by names does not mean their contributions were not

appreciated.

I am genuinely grateful to God for His grace and goodness. Indeed, His sufficient

grace has carried me through my studies to this far. It was a dream some time ago, laid

down in my heart, but now it is a reality. To Him be all the glory.

Another necessary support, I am grateful for is my mother, Mama Prisca. She will

continuously call and ask, “how far are you with your book, my son.’’ Thanks for the

encouragement, Mom.

Then to the Great Commission Bible College, thanks for the opportunity bestowed

upon me to broaden my studies. It has brought a tremendous change and growth

concerning my walk with God, and the church in which I serve.

Lastly, I would like to appreciate the great faith believers’ family for also standing

with..

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 ABSTRACT

This study was set up, to delineate the Judeo-Christian perspective on the subject of

soteriology, to explain how the saving work of God, through His only begotten Son,

brought redemption to the unresponsiveness of man’s spirit in relationship with God.

The main central argument of this work is that there is no other religious worldview that

promises salvation based on faith and not works except for Christianity.

All other religious standpoints teach that man needs to work out his salvation

through his good deeds. They refuse to accept the datum that separates man from God, is

not just a noble deed, but sin. Moral excellent standards alone cannot bring a fallen man

to salvation. Good works alone are never enough to bridge the detachment created by sin

between man and God. They teach that forgiveness only belongs to those who deserve it.

Christianity is the faith, which teaches that forgiveness is a gift of God to all humanity.

You will not find this provision in any other worldview.

The study achieved its purpose by sustaining the statement that faith in Christ alone

is what provides for humanity's salvation and hope for the lostness of man’s soul.

Outside the grace of God and the finished work of Christ on the cross, there is

undeniably no hope for humanity and the fallen nature of the human race.

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Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................................................................... 2

ABSTRACT….. ................................................................................................................ 3

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 5

TOPIC 1: THE DEFINITION OF SOTERIOLOGY .......................................................... 7

COMPREHENDING SALVATION .................................................................................. 7

TOPIC 2: THE STIMULUS FOR SALVATION ............................................................. 10

TOPIC 3: THE THREE ASPECTS OF SALVATION ..................................................... 13

INSTANT SALVATION................................................................................................. 14

PROGRESSIVE SALVATION ....................................................................................... 17

FUTURE SALVATION .................................................................................................. 19

TOPIC 4: THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SALVATION.. Error! Bookmark not defined.

TOPIC 5: WHAT OTHERS TEACH ON SIN AND SALVATION ................................. 25

TOPIC 6: WHY SALVATION – THE VEIL ................................................................... 32

TOPIC 7: WHAT THE CROSS ACCOMPLISHED ........................................................ 44

TOPIC 8: SAVED PEOPLE SERVE ............................................................................... 72

TOPIC 9. SUGGESTION OF HOW TO PRESENT THE GOSPEL… ............................ 81

CONCLUSION. .............................................................................................................. 87

Bibliography….. .............................................................................................................. 91

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 INTRODUCTION

Christianity is the congregation of men and women saved by grace, through faith in

Jesus Christ, and having fellowship with God. According to Magezi, “Christianity

involves shifting allegiance and faithfulness from one kingdom to the next, to be

specific, from the domain of darkness to the realm of His light.” 1 Soteriology or the

work of Christ on the cross is the fundamental doctrine upon which the Christian

salvation stands.

The subject of soteriology, which is usually defined for us in English terminology

as salvation, is the very core upon which the Christian faith stands. It contains God’s

love and plans for the lostness of man and man’s restoration to his creator. The fall of

man because of disobedience brought separation and damaged the cordial relationship

between man and God. The man by himself could not work his way to restoring the

broken fellowship with his creator. Good deeds alone could not bring him back to God.

Therefore, the man needed a savior. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Galatian

church, spoke about the fullness of time, in which God’s plan for the salvation of

humanity was made known. He said;

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a
woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we
might receive the adoption as sons.” 2

Why the fullness of time? It can be said; God was working His way throughout the

ages to restore and recover humanity from the grip of sin. The solution to man’s problem

in the Old Testament could not provide the desired results. The blood of bulls could not

fix it. God promised a deliverer who would come, and this redeemer would bruise the

1
Magezi Vhumani, and Christopher Magezi. “Soteriology on the Interface of Traditional African
Religion and Christianity: Engaging Bediako's Soteriology and a Soteriological Alternative.” In Die
Skriflig/In Luce Verbi.
2
King James Version Galatians 4:4-5

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head of the serpent Satan, and make available atonement, for the sinful, fallen state of

man.

Declared by the Almighty God;

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and
her Seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”
3

The salvation of the world is similarly a process, and it will ultimately be perfected,

as God has planned it. The work of Christ is the power of God, unto salvation. Outside

this, there is absolutely no hope for humanity.

3
American Standard Bible Genesis 3:15

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 TOPIC 1: THE DEFINITION OF SOTERIOLOGY

The term Soteriology summarizes the totality of the redemptive work, wrought on

the cross of Calvary by Christ, for the salvation of all humanity.

Salvation is derived from the Hebrew word; “yasa [;v"y] (to save, help in distress,

rescue, and deliver, set free) and appears most frequently in the Old Testament.

Commonly, the deliverance of which the Old Testament speaks is material in nature,

though there are important exceptions. In contrast, the employment of Soteria in the New

Testament, though it may include material preservation, usually signifies a deliverance

from special spiritual significance. In addition to the notion of deliverance, the Bible also

uses salvation to denote health, well-being, and healing.” 4 The salvation of souls is one

of the doctrines that distinguish the Christian faith from other religions and world-views.

Soteriology explains in-depth the solution God offered for the salvation of humanity.

Salvation is a broad subject that has a different meaning to different worldviews.

From the perspective of the Christian religion, it is the deliverance from sin and its

ramifications. It is not just deliverance from sin but also the restoration of a relationship

with God. God is the architect, Christ is the executor, and humankind is the beneficiary.

“For there is (is only) one God, (only) one mediator between God and men, the man

Christ Jesus.” 5

COMPREHENDING SALVATION

Humanity’s most desired focus is to be saved or delivered from the evil that befalls

them. Most people believed that there is a possibility of an unseen force that is all-

powerful to deliver or rescue them. But the question is, where is this force? Moreover,

4
Walter A. Elwell. Salvation. (1996). Baker Books.
5
Amplified Version 1 Timothy 2:5

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how can this powerful force be approached? There are many ways salvation is perceived.

All religions believe that man needs redemption, but how? And from what?

The way of salvation for many has been sacrificing, to attain such deliverance from

situations that are beyond human reach, and capabilities. There is a belief that sacrifices

captivate the consideration of God, to deliver or rescue. What humanity needs

deliverance from, is more than just a physical predicament, troubles, and issues of life. It

is imperative to comprehend that what humanity needs salvation from is a sin. Sin is the

principal cause of all that confronts humanity today, from all angles and walks of life.

Could salvation be something one must sacrifice to attain? Influence, or pull the

hand of God to do? The answer is no. No one can influence God for his/her Salvation. It

is the work of God through His Son Christ Jesus. From the viewpoint of the Christian

faith, the subject of salvation offers an accurate understanding and explains the

magnitude of work, accomplished by Christ Jesus. The subject of salvation could be well

said to be the foundation of the Christian faith. It reveals the entire plan of God for now

and the future. It is the message of both the Old and the New Testaments, and Christ is

the center of it all. It is the plan of God, in which He seeks to rescue man from the doom

and the power of sin, and bestows on him, the wealth of His grace, eternal life, provision

for abundance life now, and eternal glory.

The state in which the whole world is heading raises a basis for concern. As given

to us by the United Nation’s reports on natural disasters alone, one should be worried.

The report stated;

“With regard to the overall impact of disasters and their secondary effects on
countries’ welfare, some authors and international organizations (ECLAC/IDB,
2000; UNISDR, 2011b) maintain that they are a major obstacle to progress, while
others argue that there is no compelling evidence for this, as causes and effects
are numerous, complex, and difficult to quantify in many contexts.” 6

6
United Nations. “Handbook for Disaster Assessment.” (2014). p.28 last paragraph.

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 It is unbearable to turn a blind eye to the fact that the world is in its worst state.

From suicide bombings, diseases, drought, terrorist groups, etc. The world needs Christ,

like never before in all history.

A recent disheartening report on the South African news, stated how a mother of

three killed her children, including a nine-month-old child, because of hunger. When she

was brought to face the rule of law in the land, she said; the challenges and the cost of

raising them as a single parent is unbearable. Such news and reports are all over the

world today.

The political unrest in Venezuela and many other countries of the world give a clear

view of what sin is capable of achieving. It reveals the gruesomeness of a man’s heart

and what man is capable of doing. However, the Bible states God’s gracious design to

offer a cure to man’s problem. We call this plan of action salvation or soteriology.

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 TOPIC 2: THE STIMULUS FOR SALVATION

The motivation for this act of God divulges His character and the person of God.

One may ask why a Holy and righteous God would be so much concerned to the point of

coming down from His Eternal throne, to die a reprehensible death, for the sinful,

dispossessed nature of man. Why would God care so much? I seem to consent to James

Stewart, when he made such a life-transforming comment, on why God still cares for

humanity. In his reflections on the unsearchable love of God, Alejandro Ramirez, gave to

us, in his article this way;

“It is not clear to me sometimes. I try to reasonably understand how a perfect

being decided to love us and to dies for us. As I walk around, it is not easy to
ignore the state in which the world is. Humanity creeps ever closer to the brink of
explosion, yet Jesus cries out for. We, in turn, ignore the cry. He saved humanity
(myself included) who despised Him. He loves us anyway. I do not understand,
yet I do. He loves us. He loves us. I guess Jesus’s personality speaks by itself.” 7

The heart cry of God, for the salvation of man, is incredible, and staggering.

Considering the twisted instinct of man, why would God waste His precious gift on him?

Why would God leave His throne and come down, just for him? The answer is obvious;

the scripture makes it clear that it was His LOVE. Paul, the Apostle, reasserts for us, in

his letter to the Romans. In his words, he said; But God commendeth his love towards

us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 8 The motivation is quite clear;

it was the love of God. No man approached God, for His astounding expression of love.

He did it all by Himself, and all for His glory, not because humanity deserves it.

Salvation brings glory to God and does so because it manifests the nature of God and the

character of His Person.9

7
Alejandro Ramírez, López. "The Startling Coalescence Of Contrarieties.” A Pilate; a Gaius; a common
man reasoning.
8
Webster Bible Translation Romans 5:8
9
King James Version Ephesians 1:6

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 The work of Christ on the cross amazingly and exceptionally reveals some

character traits about God. His pleasant personality, and who He is.

His startling Love. The saving power of God, wrought in the person of Christ on

the cross, demonstrates His love for humanity. His immense love made Him not hold our

sins against us but opened His arms to welcome us back to Himself. He loves, yes, He

loves us.

As dead as the man was in sin, dwelling under the shadow of cures, God’s infinite

love, is made manifested towards him. His multitudinous love sought after the salvation,

and the restoration, of His relationship and fellowship with man. Such is the character of

God, revealed through the life of His Son. God’s graceful relentless love, kept pursuing

until restoration took place. What else could have compelled God to come among sinful

men, if not His love? God’s love is infinite and immeasurable. The depth of His love

resulted in giving away His only Son as an offering to save humanity. His love is

incomparable and infinite.

Salvation is purely a manifestation of God’s grace, the non-meritorious favor of

God. The Man could not save himself, from the power of sin, and its punishment, but

God offered the cure for man’s predicament, free of charge. The man did not deserve it,

but God bestowed it upon him. It is God’s grace that gives the world hope, not our

performances.

The question is, did man deserve all these selfless acts of God? The obvious answer

is No; it is all by His grace and grace alone; everyone has come to the saving knowledge

of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. No volume of good works could have achieved

such an unmerited favor from God.

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 His loving Kindness. The word kindness means; “the act of going out of your way

to be kind to someone or show a person you care.” 10 It is precisely who God is and what

He did for humanity. He went out of His way and provided His own sacrifice to redeem

humanity.

True love means kindness, which transcends every form of the condition. Could it

have been possible for humanity to purchase God’s kindness? The obvious could have

been no because the enemy had robbed the man of everything excellent and valuable to

exchange for God’s Kindness. “He is slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness”
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The work of salvation towards the fallen nature of man demonstrates His Kindness.

God was kind enough to approach humanity, after when the man has disobeyed Him and

had gone his way, pleasing to his own eyes.

His kindness made Him forgive the man and restored man to a relationship with

Himself. The immensity of His goodness took away the clouds of His anger, which were

hovering over humanity. Moreover, henceforth, all His creation enjoys the ever-ending

kindness of God.

His Mercy. “The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The

LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing

love and faithfulness.” 12 When God saw the condition of man, He could not hold His

peace, so He decided to give the man another opportunity to experience His presence,

provision, and fellowship again. God is mercy and merciful. His mercy rewrote the story

of humanity again.

10
Urban Dictionary.
11
New American Standard Bible Psalm 103:8
12
Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Exdous 34:6

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 TOPIC 3: THE THREE ASPECTS OF SALVATION

Adam was, in the beginning, enjoyed an incredible peace with God until the fall.

The man was impeccable, and his very nature was no shadow of sin. Because his

character was without sin, there was no evil, and his desire was of God’s standard.

Nevertheless, through rebellion and disobedience, his nature was weakened, and this

resulted in his banishment from his place of peace and love.

One thing is quite clear; it is impossible to resist our willpower. It is the grace of

God, which enables us to overcome the yearnings of evil and the demands of the flesh or

sin. Without God and His grace, the ability, and the strength to triumph over sin is not

conceivable by a simple effort of man.

After the fall, the influence of sin enslaved man to Satan, and his dominion, and

would have remained forever under the enslavement of Satan, if God had not intervened

with His love, kindness, and mercy. Gregg Allison quoted “the letter to Diognetus;

“In order to do away with that disobedience of humanity that had occurred at the
beginning by means of a tree, “He became obedient unto death, even the death on
the cross” (Philippians 2:8). By this, he rectified that disobedience that had
occurred by the means of a tree through that disobedience that was on the tree,
which is the cross. We had offended God in the first Adam when he did not obey
God’s commandment. In the second Adam, however, we are reconciled with
God, being made obedient even unto death.” 13

The second Adam, through his obedience, brought hope and freedom to the whole

human race. He dealt with the longstanding debt that man owed, but could not pay. The

second Adam, who is Christ Jesus, replaced man’s disobedience, with His sacrifice. In

this chapter, we are considering the three stages of salvation in Christ. Understanding the

process or the steps in salvation may help the believer to be at ease, in the Lord. Because

man is made up of three personalities, the salvation of man is in stages.

13
Allison, Gregg. “A History of the Doctrine of the Attonement” . p.5 last paragraph.

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 Countless times, many may find it arduous to have a handle on why some

individuals, after receiving Christ as their Lord and Savior, yet there is not much

evidence substantially, to attest to their conversion. Many are of ideation that, once you

come to the saving knowledge of Christ, your entire temperament changes instantly,

which is quite far from the truth. It is the spirit of a man that gets saved instantly, but the

process shall continue until Christ returns.

This understanding should settle any form of doubt, as to the mind of the believer,

so he/she can centre their attention on growing, in the grace of God, to become an agent

of change in the world. In this perspective, I present to you the three perceptible stages of

salvation in Christ. Man is are three-dimensional being and the restoration must affect all

three dimensions. Let’s first look at the spirit.

INSTANT SALVATION

We Are Saved — What Are We Saved From (Our Spirit)

Those that accept the gift of God which is His Son, are delivered from the penalty

for sin. In the Garden of Eden, as given unto us by Moses, God gave the man, only a

singular instruction saying, the man could freely eat every tree of the garden, but there

was a particular tree in the garden, which God permitted the man not to eat. Man’s

failure to adhere to these instructions from God resulted in spiritual death. The point of

this narrative is that; the man received complete freedom in the whole world, but one

freedom he was certainly not given, which was to play the position of God.

Becoming the definer of what is wrong, from what is right, was not given to the

man. The entire problem of humanity originated from this point. The punishment for

disobedience took effect from that day. When the man fell from his position, as a friend

of God through this revolutionary act, he lost the intimacy and fellowship with his

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Creator. The death, which man died spiritually, merely means; the connection between

man and God was cut off.

The spirit of man is that which connects to God and covers matters like faith, trust,

worship, and so on. The spirit is understood to be the deepest part of our being. It is

enclosed by our soul, which, in turn, is encompassed by our body. After the fall, the man

could no longer relate to God, and the same on God’s side, because, the man died in his

spirit. The man lost divine life in his spirit. Divine life is domiciled in the spirit of man

while human life is domiciled in the soul.

The antidote to the predicament, which occurred to the man, was the gift of God

through His Son Christ Jesus. Jesus made such a bold statement in the gospels, as John

the Apostle recorded it. It was an answer to Thomas’ question about the way to the

Father; Jesus retorted this way; “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to

the Father except through me.” 14 In the history of the world religions, and prophetic

studies, no leader or a messenger, has continually made such a self-assured claim in the

history of the world, except Christ. Indeed, Christ became the only way through which

man could trace his route back to his creator. Jesus said anyone who believes in Him

shall not die but live. He was referring to spiritual death. The son of God did not come to

make bad people good, but to resurrect the dead spirit of God in man, to live again, and

reconnect to God.

In Nicodemus’s night encounter with Jesus, the Son of God made it clear that

unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Then Nicodemus asks

two most profound questions of all time. He asked, “How can a man be born again when

he is old? Can he enter into his mother’s womb to be born again?” 15

The response to

14
The Holy Bible, New International Version. John 14:6
15
New King James Version John 3:4-5

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Nicodemus’s question about being born of the second time reveals that humanity’s

problem is more spiritual than physical. Jesus said a man needs to be born again of water

and Spirit. There is a consciousness of new life in God that man needed to be introduced

to and Jesus began the process with Nicodemus

Water is a symbol of life, and man needed that life, but where? Then Jesus

continues to clarify further that it is the spirit that needs not the physical body, as

Nicodemus asked. So, when a man receives Christ into their life, foremost, it is their

spirit that gets saved first. The dead spirit of man, which is the real being, has come into

contact with God and lives again. So then, salvation starts from a man’s spirit, then it

affects his whole person.

What Are We Saved For?

Fellowship with God

The fellowship which subsisted in the Garden of Eden, suggests a pleasurable

companionship between God, and the man before the disobedience occurred. The

Almighty would come to the garden, to fellowship with Adam and Eve in the cool of the

day, as presented to us, in the book of Genesis;

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the
day: and Adam and his wife hid from the presence of the Lord God amongst the
trees of the garden.” 16

Even though there is not enough evidence of scripture to present conclusive proof,

to protract the fact that God did come to the garden at the cool of the day, every day, I

am of the opinion, and fully convinced beyond every reasonable doubt, that God would

16
King James Version Genesis 3:3

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not only show up in the garden, only after the fall. For God to walk amongst them, each

day suggests His closeness with man.

The barrier which hindered the man, from responding or from relating to God, as he

was supposed to be, was at this stage detached. As penned down to us by the Apostle

John, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in

truth.” 17 The undeniable truth is that we can only worship God with our spirit and in the

spirit. The deadness of man’s spirit was the sole purpose of Christ’s coming to the earth.

Let us consider other stages.

PROGRESSIVE SALVATION

Being Saved – (The Soul)

The salvation of the spirit is always dealt with in the past tense, but not so with the

salvation of the soul. Comparatively, the salvation of the soul is within the present tense.

“The Hebrew term for “soul” is nephesh, and it is found more than 780 times in the Old

Testament.” 18 The soul of man was made by God, to make the body to live on earth.

Moreover, on the other hand, the spirit is made to make the soul live. Once a soul is

living without the spirit of God, that soul is not a living soul.

When Adam ate the fruit, he spiritually died, but he was still eating bread. He

continued to move around in the Garden of Eden. The soul is the custodian of the mind,

emotions, senses, etc. When the spirit of God left the man, his flesh began to control

him. He was only a living body and not a living soul. His mind, emotions, and senses

were no more in synchronization with God. His thoughts were evil, and his yearnings

were not in harmony with God.

17
King James Version John 4:24
18
Jackson, Wayne. "Soul and Spirit: What's the Difference?" ChristianCourier.com. Access date: April
15, 2019.

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 These are so evident in the lives of many who are not yet born again. Their flesh

governs their entire being. They are living bodies. Their souls are dead because it does

not have the spirit. As we come to the saving power of Christ, the renewing of our minds

begins. The Apostle Peter clarifies it for us. He affirmed this when he stated, “You

receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 19

So, the salvation of the soul takes place when we place our trust and faith in Christ.

In contrast, the salvation of the soul should, under no circumstances, be equated to

the earlier stage of salvation. The ongoing work in the life of the believer, their daily

walk, and faith in Christ is the process of getting the soul prepared, to have the mind of

Christ. The current ministry of Christ, as an intercessor on behalf of the believer, is to

continually ensure that there’s a continual triumph over the reign of sin in the life of the

saved ones. The salvation of the soul has to do with our day-to-day dealing with every

aspect of life.

The truth is that those who believe in Christ are set free from the penalty for sin, but

the daily encounter of sin, and overcoming its influence, is a battle that the believers

should overcome. The demands of the flesh can incarcerate the soul. Arthur W. Pink,

sharing his thought on what the believers should incapacitate, simplified it this way, with

the help of the indwelling of God’s spirit, the believer is empowered to wage war against

the continuous constant, and the yearning to sin. Arthur W. Pink wrote;

“Present salvation from the power of sin consists of, first, delivering us from the
love of it, which though begun at our regeneration, is continued throughout our
practical sanctification. Second, from its blinding delusiveness, so that it can no
more deceive as it once did. Third, from our excusing it: “That which I do, I
allow not” (Rom 7:15). This is one of the surest marks of regeneration. In the
fullest sense of the word, the believer “allows” it not before he sins, for every real
Christian when in his right mind desires to be wholly kept from sinning.” 20

19
Amplified Version 1Peter 1:9
20
Arthur W. Pink, “A FOUR-FOLD SALAVATION.” oChristian.com. (1999 – 2019). paragraph 25.

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 A man’s soul can become a captive of his body, without the spirit of God.

The regeneration continues in our lives as we walk with God. This stage of salvation is

where all the struggles are. Our constant intimacy with God enlightens us, so we may not

be blinded by sin and its desires. This stage prepares the believer to walk worthy of their

callings.

FUTURE SALVATION

We Shall Be Saved — (The Body)

The body is also another essential function of the human entity. Without the body,

we cannot experience the purposes of the spirit and the soul. There is nothing a person

could do, without a physical body. The Greek word for the body is “Soma,” and it is the

custodian of the spirit and the soul. A significant part of life’s activities takes place in the

body.

The body is the slave to the spirit and the soul. We can say that the body does what

the two parties instruct it to do. The final part of salvation would be the body. This

glorious moment and this undefinable gesture would take place, of course, when Christ

comes back to take the believers to be with Him in His glory. The Apostle Paul, in his

writing to the Romans, again links the body, the mind (soul), and the spirit. He urges the

believers to be mindful of what they engage their bodies with since it cost Christ, His life

to redeem the body. The scripture below are the words of Apostle the Paul;

“Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a
living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of
worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that
which is good, acceptable, and perfect.” 21

21
New Amercian Standard Bible Romans 12:1-2

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 It is in the physical body that we prove our service unto God. When the body

indulges in certain ungodly activities, the spirit, and the soul get impacted. To keep the

body holy, we are encouraged to present it as a sacrifice. It is a sacrifice because it will

cost us many things.

Those who believe shall certainly be like Him when Christ appears. Their physical

bodies shall put on the incorruptible one that lives forever. It is like watching a replay of

a football match; no man can change the result. Jesus Christ has already won the game.

The full price has been paid for by the blood of the Lamb of God.

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 TOPIC 4: THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SALVATION

1. Comprehensive Exertion of God

A closer look at the character of salvation can only attribute to God and nothing

else. It is a visible manifestation of God’s eternal plan for the man. His relentless

graceful pursuit through the scriptures in the Old Testament of the Bible confirms it to be

true. Contemplating the reflections, and the revelations in the scriptures, one could only

give credit and honor to God, for what He has done for all humanity. Was it not John S.

Feinberg, who said;

“In attempting to set forth God’s plan of salvation, it is essential to recognize

initially that at all times in history, salvation must begin with God’s gracious
activity.” 22

The work of Salvation is ultimately God’s effort. It is not man’s idea, but God’s.

Paul explicitly explains that it is God who decided to show mercy. No one can neither

choose it nor work for it. The misconception that salvation can be attainable by

individual works is fictitious. Many still have the belief that good deeds and religious

rituals can achieve salvation for their souls. Even though good deeds are imperative, they

are not the prerequisites for salvation. Good works are the results of God’s grace.

The Word of God clearly shows, and makes us understand that “God who is at

works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” 23 “Now it is evident that

no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 24

Therefore, with no doubt can we say, it is God who works His perfect will in a man’s

life, and not the man by himself. “Man’s moral struggle is indeed feeble to merit his

salvation.” 25

22
S.Feinberg, Charles. “Salvation in the Old Testament” Scribd, Scribd, p.5
23
New American Standard Bible Philipans 2:13
24
English Standard Version Galatians 3:11
25
Timothy, Keller. “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism.” Christianbook.com

21
 It is, therefore, understandable that it is our faith in God and what He has made

available that put man in a position to be thoroughly complete in Christ. An endless

source of peace and rest is for all those who put their faith and trust in Christ as their

Savior. Through the finished work of the almighty God, all those who believe are now

qualified as a valid candidate for heaven, and to enjoy a relationship with God.

2. As a Done Deal

The mystery behind the saving work of God through His Son Jesus Christ travels

back to the very foundations of the world. The lamp of God, who took the sins of the

world. Christ Jesus was given away for the salvation of many, before the foundations of

the world. The manifestation of God’s design, for the eradication of sin, was long in

place before man, and sin even came into existence. The Apostle Peter, by revelation,

presented to us, such a fantastic mystery of Christ’s manifestation in the flesh. He said;

“it is true that He was chosen and foreordained (destined and foreknown for it) before

the foundation of the world, be He was brought out to the public view (made manifest) in

these last days (at the end of times) for the sake of you.” 26 It is irrefutable that Christ has

always been there, and he has been the Lamb of God, from the beginning. His

manifestation in the flesh was for the sake of us. In other words, it was not a surprise to

God.

Christ’s coming to the earth was just a physical manifestation of what has already

been done and accomplished, from the very beginning, before creation. Christ came on

earth to do God’s will. What was God’s will? God’s will was the prophecy given to us in

the book of Genesis by Moses. To destroy the works of the serpent, who is the devil.

Christ came to do God’s will, which the blood of animals could not achieve. He became

the only ultimate sacrifice that took away all the sins of the world and took upon Himself

26
Amplified Version 1 Peter 1:20

22
the punishments for man’s disobedience. Every debt owed by the man was paid for by

the blood of Jesus Christ.

The wrath, punishment, and clouds of judgment on humanity were taken care of on

the cross. God, in His infinite love for man, did it all for humankind. The claim of divine

justice was satisfied by the death of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a done deal. Man’s

prerequisite is to accept this by faith, but the question would be which kind of faith? It is

the Faith in the completed work of Christ on the cross. There was no need for man to

fight, but to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. I coincided with John S.

Feinberg when he stated that;

“Scripture is explicit that no one is saved by attempting to perform a good act in

his power. No one within his own is capable of an act that is righteous in the
sight of God. It is without a doubt that, even Adam, before the fall, all on his own
without any divine help was not capable of performing any act of moral good in
the sight of God.” 27

What separates us from God, moral framework, and performances could not

reconcile us back to God. It is not how much effort we put in; it is by accepting the

finished work of Christ on the cross. Our faith in the finished work of Christ is the sole

prerequisite for the salvation of humanity. No one is proficient in becoming righteous in

the sight of God, without the help of God’s grace. There were a lot of performances

throughout the scriptures, but none resulted in salvation. Lewis Sperry Chafer put it like

this, for us;

“True salvation is wholly a work of God. It is said to be both a finished and a

gift, and, therefore, it lays no obligation upon the saved one to complete it
himself, or to make after payments of service for.” 28

Chafer’s view is truthful. Salvation is purely a finished gift, presented to humanity

by God. If there is any demand for payment, then it is certainly not a gift. A present is

27
Ibid. John S. Feinberg p.56
28
Lewis Sperry, Chafer.

23
paid in full by the individuals that present them. Christ was God’s gift given unto all for

the salvation of their souls. The disheartening part is after all God has done, concerning

the provision for redemption, many still do not accept; neither belief is the only way to

be saved.

We are currently living in a generation whereby there are no absolutes. Each person

has the truth, which they believe is all they need. There is a pluralism of religious

worldviews. The viewpoint of all the other religions of the world compels man’s effort

in working out his own salvation. They all teach about what one has to do for God to

earn salvation. Let's have a look at what other religious groups teaches about salvation

and sin.

24
 TOPIC 5: WHAT OTHERS TEACH ABOUT SIN AND SALVATION

RELIGION SIN SALVATION

Judaism It is assumed that, in general, people What happens to each person when

have the ability to follow the law of God judges him or her after death is

God. Grievous sins within Judaism the consequence of how that person

is not anticipated. God disclosed his lived during life on earth? If the

law to Moses on Mount Sinai. God’s person was generally obedient to the

revelation of his moral will is the Ten Commandments, that person

foundation of Jewish belief and would be in God’s favor. If the

practice. The covenant God made person was disobedient, there might

with his people at Sinai is be suffering due to just retribution

permanent and irrevocable. by God. However, even an

However, the terms and conditions extremely evil person can come to

of this covenant have been repentance and afterward atone for

elaborated by authorized rabbis and sins by walking according to the law

can be altered (within limits) over of God. Three main views about

time, as the cultural conditions faced atoning for sin have emerged within

by successive generations of Jews Judaism since the Roman army

change. destroyed the Jewish temple in

Jerusalem: • Atonement can be made

by repenting of sins, praying, and

doing good works. • The corporate

sufferings of the Jewish people atone

for the sins of every individual Jew.

25
 •The Jewish people are assured of

happiness and peace in the next life

just because they are Jews.

Islam The doctrine of Original Sin is One must believe the teachings of

denied; human beings do not have the Koran and obey Allah’s

sinful natures. People are sinless commands and do his will. Islam

until they rebel against Allah. does not recognize any work by

People should not behave according Allah for the benefit of delivering

to their lower (animal) nature. Muslims from their sins. Persons

Instead, they should use their free must atone for their sins by sincere

will to act in total submission to confession and good works. Allah

Allah. will judge each person by the

balance of good or evil that he or she

has done. Even the most pious

Muslim is not guaranteed entrance

into paradise; only the martyr can be

assured of this. Additionally, Allah

is under no compulsion to be

merciful.

Baha’i Human beings, by nature, are Salvation, a state of happiness, is

neither sinful nor evil. Each person realized by those who turn toward

has been given the capacity by God God and believe in the manifestation

for spiritual growth and progress. of God that appears in the age in

26
 Evil is seen as only the absence of which they live. Salvation does not

good. Satan, understood in some save anyone from a sinful nature or

religious traditions as an evil angelic acts of sin but instead frees humans

being, does not exist, but instead is a from bondage to their lower nature.

personification of a human’s lower It is this lower nature that threatens

nature, which can destroy those who the destruction of society. Only

fail to gain harmony with their through God-sending manifestations

spiritual life. are people able to reach their true

potential. It is through the teachings

of these historical manifestations

that people evolve to a higher place

of spirituality and unite with God.

Hinduism Sin consists of two primary People who realize their identity

elements: (1) ignorance concerning with the Brahman obtain release

reality and (2) the illusion that from their ignorance and are no

persons are real. The persistent longer subject to the karmic laws

difficulty in which human beings that cause one’s soul to be

find themselves involves reincarnated. Instead, they have

misapprehending the nature of the attained enlightenment and

self and the cosmos. By recognizing provisional union with Brahman that

that everything is one will become final at death. Spiritual

undifferentiated reality, including paths that can assist a person in this

oneself, a person escapes from the quest include “the path of devotion”

otherwise endless cycle of and “the path of knowledge.” In all

reincarnation. Evil actions, cases, a person must act consistently

27
 especially violent ones, result in a with the dharma (the ways of Hindu

person accumulating bad karma, spirituality).

which inhibits the person’s ability to

break free from ignorance and

illusion.

Buddhism In Buddhism, sin is not viewed Humans are presumed to be within a

primarily in ethical terms, but as an recurring cycle of birth, death, and

ignorance of the true nature of rebirth. The body in which one is

reality. Since all existence is one reincarnated is dictated by karma

undifferentiated unity, evil and good from one’s previous life. Karma is

are ultimately the same. the sum of a person’s actions in an

Nonetheless, individuals are earlier life (or lives). Good karma

responsible for having a proper assists one in receiving a body

sense of virtue and decency, and conducive to attaining enlightenment

acting viciously will inhibit one’s and liberation from the cycle of

movement toward liberation. Rather reincarnation, which bad karma can

than the absolute sense of right and result in a person being reincarnated

wrong, good and evil found in some into a lower form of existence.

religions, Buddhist ethics seeks to Escape from the cycle of

avoid moral extremes that cause reincarnation can be achieved by

struggles and to avoid viewing the taking the steps on the Eightfold

world as a reality that is independent Path: 1) Right views, belief in the

of oneself. The Five Precepts are the Four Noble Truths and rejection of

manner of life that adherents are to false views concerning one’s person

follow, including commandments and destiny; 2) Right resolve,

28
 not to kill, steal, lie, or be unchaste, ridding oneself of improper

and to avoid alcohol and drugs. thoughts; 3) Right speech, speaking

clearly and truthfully; 4) Right

conduct, performing proper actions;

5) Right livelihood, living simply; 6)

Right effort, working to achieve

detachment from the world; 7) Right

awareness, understanding the nature

of oneself and reality; 8) Right

concentration, putting aside all

distractions and focusing one’s

thoughts totally on enlightenment.

29

All other religions, as shown in the table above, are distinctive in their cores and

beliefs. Some accept as truth that all religions are fundamentally the same but only

superficially dissimilar. Superficially could be factual, but fundamentally incorrect.

There has been an attack on Christianity from ancient, why the very attacks? If all

religions are the same? All religions are not the same; Islam is not the same as Hinduism

and Buddhism.

The Christian standpoint, of which we believe in the person of the Son of God,

Jesus Christ, made an audacious statement in the gospels. “I am the Way,” exclaimed

Jesus Christ,” “the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through)

29
Sin And Salvation: A Comparison Of Major World Religions."

29
Me.” 30 No one in the history of the world has ever made such a bold statement, except

Jesus Christ, which other religious organizations have refused to accept as truth.

Firstly, let us take, for example, the issue of sin, according to the teachings of the

different religions; they do not believe that which is explained by the Apostle Paul in his

letter to the Romans. In his epistle, he stated, “For one man’s disobedience many were

made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” 31 They do not

believe that an individual is born a sinner, neither inherited sin. Hinduism and Buddhism

define sin as ignorance and not disobedience against God. It means, an abundance of

knowledge makes a person right, or in good standing with God, which is quietly

dramatic and ridiculous. The belief that man by nature is not sinful, and evil means, they

do not believe in the fallen deprived life of man. No wonder, the part of the world where

these viewpoints are popular, is crashing down today.

The very problem of humanity is the sinful nature, inherited by the disobedience of

Adam. How can a man bring forth anything useful if the root is evil? The heart of man is

despicably evil and, therefore, cannot be morally right. The fact that they all denied the

existence of sin, also contradicts the cure, God provides for their predicament. The

apparent problem of man is not ethical, but they are what detached us from God.

Secondly, let us address the issue of salvation. According to Baha’i, and the

teachings on salvation, it is said; salvation does not save anyone from a sinful nature, or

the acts of sin, but instead, salvation means, a state of happiness. The question is

happiness in what? Happiness depends on what is happening at that moment and time.

Happiness does not even last forever. Is satisfaction what humanity needs to be set free

from what confronts us? Is this the solution to man’s problem? Not true. Anything can

30
Amplified Version John 14:17
31
King James Version Romans 5:19

30
make a person happy, even drugs and alcohol. Is that all that salvation means? I am of an

understanding that happiness cannot make a person or put him in standing with God. The

problem is, we have seen many happy people, yet full of evil, because evil is in the heart

of man, not what they display outside or achieved.

Let's have a look at Islam on the same subject; they believe Allah is under no

compulsion to be merciful. The very nature of God is mercy and is the reason why His

graceful relentless pursuit for the salvation of man, never stopped from the day man fell

into sin. If God is under no compulsion to be merciful, then humanity would have lost

forever. They also do not recognize any act of Allah, in delivering any Muslim from

their sins.

What they believe is that each person must atone for their sins, by their good deeds,

outweighing their evil deeds. Is that all a person needs to do to be saved or to be

redeemed? To have more good deeds than evil deeds brings salvation? Can good deeds

guarantee one’s salvation? Such is incorrect. The prophet Isaiah makes it clear that our

righteousness or good deeds are like filthy rags or polluted garments. Good deeds cannot

make one right. Before Christ came on earth, they were people that were doing good

deeds, but good deeds could not provide salvation or remove what separates man from

his Creator. With Islam, one has no assurance of salvation.

Lastly, it is only in the Christian worldview, which we believe that man is sinful in

his nature and needs the mercies of God. We believe that by one man’s disobedience, sin

entered the whole world, and that brought death, and punishment upon the world as a

whole. We believe in God's provision for man’s predicament. It is only Christianity that

promises salvation by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. All the other

religions teach how a man can work his way to God. Christianity also promises the

Assurance of salvation.

31
 TOPIC 6: WHY SALVATION – THE VEIL

One may wonder why it is of great prominence that God would design a plan to

make sure that nothing stands in the way of man unto his salvation. The Veil was one of

the reasons why salvation was of every importance. It was what stood between God and

man. The sins of man created a Veil. As the Bible has given us details of how the Veil

was made up. God instructed His servant Moses to design the Veil with particular

descriptions and also told him its purpose of it. These are the words given to Moses by

God;

“
You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven
linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. You shall hang it
upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall
be gold, upon four sockets of silver. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps.
Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil
shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.” 32

So the Bible explains the purpose of the Veil, which is to stop anyone from going

into the presence of God in the Old Testament. Only the High Priest was permitted to

stand on the other side of the Veil on the Day of Atonement for the ticket for sprinkling

on the Veil blood for His exchange. The Veil stood in the way of a sinful man not to

enter God's presence. It was the Veil that was dividing man and God.

For many generations passed, and man could not enter except by blood sacrifice.

God is a Holy and righteous God in Whom there are no iniquities. How would man ever

get the opportunity to come in the presence of God without the fear of being struck

down? These questions lingered unanswered till the day Jesus cried out with a loud

voice. The Apostle Matthew in his narrative of what certainly happened presented it to

us in this way;

32
New King James Version Exodus 26:31-33

32
 “Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment, the
curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The
earth shook, and rocks split apart.” 33

It took Christ Jesus and His precious blood to remove the Veil. Edersheim gives an

amazing viewpoint on how miraculously God dealt with this obstacle. He believes that,

even though the earthquake tore the temple Veil, he does not believe it is the force of the

impact of the earthquake. He has a strong opinion that it was the mighty hand of God,

which rendered the Veil. Looking at the details he provided, Edersheim put his thought

on the Veil this way;

“But even if the rending of the Temple-Veil had commenced with the earthquake,
and, according to the gospel to the Hebrews, with the breaking of the lintel over
the entrance, it could not be accounted for in this manner. According to the
Jewish tradition, there were true, two Veils before the entrance of the Most Holy
Place. The Talmud explains this because it was not whether in the former
Temple, the Veil had hung inside or outside the entrance, and whether the
partition wall had stood in the Holy or Most Holy. Accordingly, there was no
wall between the Holy and Most Holy Place, but a space of one cubit, assigned to
it in the former Temple, was left unoccupied, and one Veil hung on the inside of
Holy, the other on that of the Most Holy Place. According to an account dating
from Temple-times, there were altogether thirteen Veils used in the Temple used
in various parts of the Temple-two new ones being made every year. The Veils
before the Most Holy Place were 40 cubits (60 feet) long, and 20(30 feet) wide,
of the thickness of the palm, and wrought in 72 squares, which were joined
together; and these Veils were so heavy that, in the exaggerated language of the
time, it needed 300 priests to manipulate each. If the Veils were at all such as
described in the Talmud, it could not have been rent in twain by a mere
earthquake or the fall of the lintel, although it is a composition in square fastened
together might explain, how the rent might be as described in the Gospels.
Indeed, everything seems to indicate that, although the earthquake might furnish
the physical basis, the rent of the Temple-Veil with reverence be it said- was
made by the Hand of God.” 34

The thickness of the Veil is astonishing; indeed, this could have been only God and

no one else. The descriptions laid out by Edersheim give one an understanding of how

33
New Living Translation Matthew 27:50-51. Tyndale House Foundation. New Living Translation. (1996,
2004, 2015).
34
Edersheim, Afred. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. (1896) p.147 2nd paragraph.

33
separated man was from God. The gap which was between Man and God was so huge

that God could not approach man, and man could not enter into God’s presence because

He is Holy. There was no peace between the two parties. Some factors lead to the

making of the Veil, which brought the separation between God and man. Let us have a

look at some contributing factors which are in the scriptures.

1. The Holiness of God

God’s holiness is one of the significant themes of the Holy Scriptures. Attempting

to comment or to speak about it requires an infilled of the Holy Spirit. The holiness of

God is the totality of the personality of God. The word holiness means; to be separated

or set apart. God is genuinely distinctive and set apart in many ways and situations. God

revealed how set apart He is to the Prophet Isaiah said;

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither your ways My ways says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your
ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” 35

In the above scripture, God has made the distinction of who He is. These

distinctions then bring us to the question of what is the Holiness of God. David Hockings

in his understanding of the holiness of God and in an attempt to explain put it in his

words like this;

“When you speak of the nature of God's holiness, it refers to His unique person,
that there is no one like Him. He is separate from anyone you have ever met or
known. God is totally different. Radically, unusually, and completely different
from anyone you have ever known.” 36

I agreed with Hockings on his thoughts about the holiness of God. Indeed, none can

be in the same status as Him. He has no co-equal. For this is the reason whatever God

35
King James Version Isaiah 55:8-9
36
Hockings, David. The Holines of God. Blue Letter Bible.

34
touches becomes holy and set apart from the others. His dwelling place is above all.

Robert Barron introduces God’s holiness in such an extraordinary way. In his words he

said;

“The Holiness of God is a white light: pure, simple, complete. But when that
light shines, as it were, through the prisms of individual lives, it breaks into an
infinite variety of colors; each one reveals a unique dimension of the divine
holiness.” 37

The holiness of God is incredibly fabulous. When it invades a person’s life, it

brings out the best in us. We begin to exhibit the nature of God. The Apostle Paul, in his

letter, brought our attention to the exalted position of God. In his letter, he said;

“Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light unapproachable, whom no man
hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal.” 38

The Apostle expounds that, His dwelling is unapproachable. It is high above. The

Apostle continues to explain to his son Timothy that no eyes have ever seen or will see

Him. The physical eyes of men cannot hold His luminous presence. The holiness of God

is not only transcendent but also the distinctiveness is beyond human comprehension.

Holiness is who God is. Holiness and God are inseparable. M Ashley Evans, in his

article on the attribute of God, quoted the words of Louis Berkhof. In his quote about the

holiness of God, Louis said;

“It does not seem proper to speak of one attribute of God as being more central
and fundamental than another, but if this were permissible, the scriptural
emphasis on the holiness of God would seem to defend its selection.” 39

I have deliberated on the words of Louis Berkhof, and I do not know if I did agree

with him the first time I read about his quote distinguishing the holiness of God from the

37
Barron, Robert. AZQuotes.com.
38
King James Version 1Timothy 6:16
39
Ashley Evans, M. “How the Attribute of God Can Be Applied in Biblical Counseling.”

35
other attribute of God. However, I might confess that the more I walked with God and

my journey with Him, the more I have come to understand that Berkhof was right.

The holiness of God defends its selection above all. One thing God has always

substantiated over and over throughout scripture is His Holiness. The holiness of God is

a subject that cannot be undermined or taken frivolously. It is the encapsulation or

synopsis of the totality of God. In an ever-dying world full of evil and darkness, the

holiness of God is miniature-understood. God is holy, and in Him, there is no darkness.

The Apostle Peter, in his address to the persecuted Christians living in the five Asia

Minor, urged them not to forget the holiness of God even in their persecutions and

anguishes. He quoted the very words God gave to Moses that he may deliver to the

Israelites in Leviticus, the twentieth chapter, and the twenty-six verse. He shed light on

the subject of God’s holiness by saying; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY,

FOR I AM HOLY.” 40

One thing is evident, and God shall never compromise on His holiness as far as He

is concerned. We need to be transformed to be like Him. John, the revelator of his

experience in divinity while he was yet on the Island called Patmos, gave a glimpse of

how the holiness of God surpasses all His attributes in heaven. Giving unto us in the

most excellent terms, he stated;

“And the four living creatures, each of them having six wings, are full of eyes
around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “HOLY, HOLY,
HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND
WHO IS TO COME.” 41

The above scripture reveals to us the designated assignment to the angels of God is

to declare His holiness day and night. How amazing they do not stop saying holy is the

40
New American Standard Bible 1 Peter 1:16
41
English Standard Bible Revelation 4:8

36
Lord. The continuous calling of His Holiness by the angels gives an idea of how holiness

means everything to God. These and many other scriptures declare and confirm the

holiness of God. Holiness is the very core of the character of God.

His very character will not permit Him to relate to anything unholy; He could not.

God is absolute righteousness and holy. His righteousness made it intolerable for Him to

deal with a sinful man. Hence, man became sinful; the Holiness of God, which is

unapproachable by any unrighteousness, made it impossible for man to come nearer to

God’s presence and to have fellowship with Him.

2. The Sin of Man

The second underlying factor which resulted in the making of the Veil was the

Sins of man. Moses, by the spirit of the Lord, gave us the narrative of what happened

after the disobedience of Adam; he said, “So the Lord God banished him from the

Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.” 42 So that was what

took place immediately after the sin of the man. He was exorcised from the presence of

God, for he had broken the instruction given to him by God.

The Apostle John delivered to his audience and also to us today about what sin

means when he stated that; “everyone who commits, sin is guilty of lawlessness; for sin

is lawlessness.” 43 In other terminologies, sin is the infringement on God’s laws or the

acting opposite of what God has instructed. It does not matter the size of the actual sin; it

is a sin. Whenever we forsake God’s commands, we have sinned against Him. To God,

there is nothing like a minor or a major sin. Jack Wellman in his knowledge about the

subject of sin explains it this way;

42
New International Version Genesis 3:23
43
New Revised Standard Version John 3:4

37
 “Anytime you read the word “transgression, iniquity” or sin,” you essentially see
the same problem. They are all sin. The word “sin” is from the Greek word
“hamartia,” which means “Miss Mark,” and that mark is perfection.” 44

Sin manifested itself in diverse ways and forms, but it means one thing — the

violation of the laws of God. One may wonder how just simple experiments of Adam

and Eve on the instruction of God could result in such a huge deficit. The word of God

makes it explicit that man’s inability to keep the instruction given to him by God resulted

in disobedience. Moreover, this act of disobedience brought about a disconnection from

God’s holy presence.

To God, disobedience is the root of all sin. This act, which is contrary to God’s

word, damaged the relationship between God and man. Sin distorted the image of God in

man. Sin has the power of robbing the man of his ideal state. With God, He has always

wanted fellowship because He created all things for His pleasure, but the sin of man

would not permit Him to do so. God is a Holy and righteous God who cannot associate

Himself with sin. Though He has the power to approach, His very nature of Holiness will

not allow Him.

The deeper man was knocked down by Sin, the more arduous it became for

humanity to trace their way back to God. Sin is another contributor that brought about

the separation. It might not cost humanity anything, but it cost God everything. At a

certain point in time, God regretted creating human beings. The damage conveyed by sin

made God turn His back on humanity. The man eventually missed the mark of

righteousness.

44
Wellman, Jack. “Bible defination Of Sin: How Does the Bible Define Sin or Sinning?”.

38
a. Credited Sin – Apostle Paul addressed how the whole creation became sinful. In his

epistle, Paul said, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death

by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” 45

Many have argued for the fact that God was not fair in transferring the sins of one

man to all humans. It is merely because man was created to reproduce after his kind. All

creations received the same command from God to multiply. So Adam, in his nature,

produced after his kind. Because an apple tree cannot produce orange fruits, Adam could

not produce anything better than himself. It is like a child that has inherited certain

diseases from the parent. All the human race got infected with the sin of Adam. In the

sight of God, there was none righteous.

a. Acquired Sin - The Bible shows the way that, as the offspring of Adam, each man

came into the world with sinful nature acquired from the life of sin. David also, in his

plight, understood the sinful nature he acquired from his birth. He explains to us how

one is born of a sinful nature. He brings to light how every man is conceived of and

brings forth iniquities. He said, “Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity;

my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too, am sinful].” 46

The more humanity denies the fact that all men are born of a sinful nature, the

harder it shall become for humanity to find solutions to the dilemmas which confront us

in the world today. The absolute truth is, men, do not live sinful because they sin, but

because they are conceived and brought forth naturally sinful. This sinful nature is the

root cause, not the fruit of the root.

45
King James Version Romans 5:12
46
Amplified Version Psalm 51:5

39
 Joseph Byamukama, in his article, Sin: The Problem with the World, quoted the

words of Malcolm Muggeridge. Malcolm makes such a scarring statement. In his words,

he said;

“The depravity of man is at once the most empirically verifiable reality, but
at the same time, the most intellectually resisted fact.” 47

The veracity of Malcolm’s statement is, it’s an undeniable truth that we know what

the problem of the world is. It is not a matter of affording more ammunition or blaming

the leaders and governments of our time for the disasters and the unthinkable

happenings. It is a matter of embracing the fact that our acquired sinful nature is the

underlying factor of the prevalence of evil in our world today.

b. Individual/Personal Sin — even though sin came to the world from the

disobedience of Adam, the act of sin in itself is done individually or personally.

These external factors incite individuals, and they avail themselves to be influenced

by them.

Individual or personal sin entails how we relate to God and other fellow human

beings. The results of personal sins destroy our relationship with God. It weakens the

individual rightful standing with God. Whatever one does, whether good or bad, it has an

impact on their relationship with God. These personal sins constitute a Veil, which in

turn denies one access to his creator. Individually, it is time we learn to accept

responsibility for our sins and seek God’s grace.

3. The Penalty for Sin

The righteousness of God versus the disobedience of man and his sinful or wicked

nature. One thing God cannot afford to do is to lie or go contrary to His word. Because if

47
Byamukama, Joseph. “Sin: The problem with the World.” Byamukama.com (2017).

40
He goes contrary to His word, then His word cannot be trusted. It is undoubtedly

unfeasible to build our lives on something which keeps fluctuating now and then.

Because God said by himself to the man, you shall die the day you shall eat of that fruit

that penalty should accordingly serve. David after many years of walking with God,

being faced with the punishment for his sins, was moved by the spirit to say;

“Righteousness and justice are the foundations of Your throne.” 48

God is not only righteous but just. Justice must ensure that the man faces the

consequences of his actions. When man broke the commands of God, the punishment of

death against man took immediate effect. The man was obliged to pay and serve a

sentence. What was the penalty for sin? The Apostle Paul reflected on the penalty for sin

and gave us what was due to man. He said;

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through
Christ Jesus, our Lord.” 49

The penalty for sin was death, a spiritual death that resulted in physical death

eventually. Man’s choice resulted in eternal death, which is the penalty for his sins. That

is indeed what happens to a life without God. In any case, the truth which must be

comprehended is the punishment, and the penalty that was laid against the man was

enormous to the point that man himself could not pay it either by religion, or good deeds.

The best performance on the side of man could not make peace or take the clouds of

judgment from him.

As a further result of these three pieces of the impediment, so many things

consequently happened, which intensified the possibility of man reaching out to God.

These resulted in boundaries, and the difficulty of man’s salvation became only possible

48
New King James Version Psalm 89:14
49
New Living Translation Romans 6:23

41
by Christ. These boundaries and other factors made salvation of such importance in the

life of all men.

4. Spiritual Death

Separation from God is what is well-defined as spiritual death. Man's situation in

Adam brought death spiritually, which also resulted in physical death and eventually

everlasting death. Spiritual death is one of the reasons why salvation was of necessity.

Spiritual death was the result of Adam’s disobedience. It was not a physical death because

the man did not die instantly physically but spiritually. There was an immediate separation

between God and the spirit of the man. These imply that man in himself is without spiritual

life and was dead to righteousness.

It is the very reason; it does not matter how religious one could be, without spiritual

life, it is impossible to know God. Regardless of how hard we try to please God, we shall

fizzle and miss the mark of God’s standard. There is absolutely nothing a dead man could

do right to find his way back to God.

No individuals can ultimately bring themselves to be aligned with God, regardless of

how hard they attempt or irrespective of how earnest they are. Therefore, it was the core

reason why Nicodemus, a religious man, came to Jesus Christ in the night to inquire about

Him after he heard and saw the fantastic works Christ has done. He came to see Christ, to

learn how he could know God. The Apostle Matthew, who in his gospel narrative, stressed

mainly the fact that Christ is the Messiah, gave unto us the report of what transpired

between Christ and Nicodemus that night. He quoted their dialogue;

“Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man is born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a
man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's
womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man
to be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

42
 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” 50

These were Christ's methods of showing this religious man that he required a new

birth, another profound birth, a spiritual birth from above, that which is achieved by the

Spirit of God to see, comprehend, and be a piece of the kingdom of God. We discovered

in the dialogue that, Christ was emphasizing the fact that man needs a spiritual birth.

Firstly, Christ presented to him the solution to man’s problem. Jesus spoke of water

and the spirit. Water is the symbol of life, but this life has to be of the spirit. The birth was

not that of the flesh as Nicodemus presumed. It is the birth that takes place when we accept

Christ as our Lord and personal Savior. Our spiritual lives matter because they are what

we use to serve God. Pierre Teilhard De Chardin observes a profound revelation about the

spirituality of man when he stated that;

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual
beings having a human experience.” 51

We are spiritual beings first, before physical, and if we do not understand the need

for spiritual birth, there will be no salvation. The curse which came as a result of sin

brought instant spiritual disconnection and separation from the wellspring of life. Being

dead, man needs to reconnect with His creator spiritually, and that can only be

accomplished through the new birth to Christ as the wellspring of life. There is nothing

too hard for God, and there is no situation God cannot deal with or solve. Indeed, there is

nothing impossible with the Lord. In His eternal wisdom, He has an answer to every

question on earth. What seems to be the end of humanity or a full stop is just the beginning

point of God. God always has a plan for His creation.

50
King James Version John 3:3-7
51
Pierre Teilhard De Chardin. “Childhood, Life & Timeline.”

43
 TOPIC 7: WHAT THE CROSS ACCOMPLISHED

The Elimination of the Veils

The cross has been taken lightly by many unbelievers by attempting that, God

cannot have time to use something simple like a cross. These people have been believing

this because they do not know how God works. In his quotes, R.C. Sproul wrote about

the cross; “The most violent expression of God’s wrath and justice is seen on the Cross.

If ever a person has room to complain about injustice, it was Jesus. He was the only

innocent man ever to be punished by God. If we stagger at the wrath of God, let us

stagger at the Cross. Here is where our astonishment should be focused on.” 52

At the time of the crucifixion, the people were thinking that Jesus’ death was a way

of sending Him back to where He claimed to have come from the world. They did not

know that Jesus was paving an approach to the Father, for all those who will believe in

His death as a way of their salvation. In his contrast, the Apostle John quoted Jesus’

words when He was telling the Apostles who He was. Jesus said to them;

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me.” 53

Now, to fulfill His words, Jesus had to suffer, and carry the cross, which was our

burden, so that we could walk on a clear path to the Father. The salvation that He offered

us through the cross replaced the sacrifices for sins that the priests were offering before

Jesus’ crucifixion. During the time of sacrifice, the Priests would enter the Holy of

Holies through the veil, which was torn off during the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

The cutting of the veil was symbolizing that Jesus was taking the place of both the

sacrificial and the Priesthood that was there before His death. After His death, the

52
R.C. Sproul, Goodreads, Quotable Quote,
53
New King James Version John 14:6

44
believers have been the beneficiaries of His completed work on the cross and share His

better priesthood. Following the steps that Jesus Christ went through, Jesus denotes

Himself as a servant in which the Bible said that;

“Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his
brothers, and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest
before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the
people. He has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we
are being tested.” 54

In this verse, we are seeing Jesus Christ, tearing up the sinful kind of man by

sacrificing His life on the cross. Prophet Isaiah also testified by saying that;

“Yet, it was the Lord's will to crush him with suffering. When the Lord has made
his life a sacrifice for our wrongdoings, he will see his descendants for many
days.” 55

The tearing down of the veil in the temple was a sign of God doing away with the

old covenant, and establishing the new covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ. Being

the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning, and the End, God decided to restore the broken

relationship between Himself and man through Jesus’ sacrificial offering. The significant

vast of this union has been simplified briefly in the book of Hebrews;

“We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest
who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. We
have a chief priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in
every way that we are, but he did not sin. So, we can go confidently to the throne
of God's kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the
right time.” 56

Throughout all the temptations, Jesus never felt weary to bear our burdens,

knowing that it was the only way to prepare the reconciliation between the Father and

the man so that the man would become the righteousness of God. The reconciliation of

man that Jesus Christ offered had signs and symptoms, showing that the sin offering,

54
Holy Bible, New Living Translation Hebrews 2:17-18
55
GOD'S WORD Isaiah53:10
56
GOD'S WORD Hebrews 4:14-16

45
which was provided annually by the priests, couldn’t genuinely complement the need for

forgiveness. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ, through His death, has exorcized the

obstructions or separation from God and man, so that we may approach Him with

certainty. There are also some accomplishments attained by the finished work of Christ

on the cross.

1. The Sins of Man Forgiven

In His declaration of forgiveness, God reminded us that “I, even I, am He who blots

out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” 57 Sin was

the leading cause of man’s problem, which separated him from God, and his prime

position, which was in the beginning. In his letter to Ephesians, Apostle Paul also

testified that “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of His grace.” 58

In Christ, we have the pardoning of sins through His blood. His completed work on

the cross has washed away everyone’s transgressions. He died for us so that He would

set us free from the oppression of sin. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our

behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 59

In the book of Leviticus, Moses was told by God to warn Aaron of how he should

prepare the atonement. God said to Moses,

"Tell your brother Aaron not to enter into the Holy of Holies, barging inside the
curtain that's before the Atonement-Cover on the Chest whenever he feels like it,
lest he dies because I am present in the Cloud over the Atonement-Cover. “This
is the procedure for Aaron when he enters the Holy Place: He will bring a young
bull for an Absolution-Offering and a ram for a Whole-Burnt-Offering; he will
put on the holy linen tunic and the linen underwear, tie the linen sash around him,
and put on the linen turban. These are the sacred vestments, so he must bathe
himself with water before he puts them on. Then from the Israelite community,
57
New King James Version Isaiah 43:25
58
New King James Version Ephesians 1:7
59
New American Standard Bible 2 Corithians 5:21

46
he will bring two male goats for an Absolution-Offering and a Whole-Burnt-
Offering. "Aaron will offer the bull for his own Absolution-Offering in order to
make atonement for himself and his household. Then he will set the two goats
before God at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and cast lots over the two
goats, one lot for God and the other lot for Azazel. He will offer the goat on
which the lot to God falls as an Absolution-Offering. The goat on which the lot
for Azazel falls will be sent out into the wilderness to Azazel to make atonement.
"Aaron will present his bull for an Absolution-Offering to make atonement for
himself and his household. He will slaughter his bull for the Absolution-Offering.
He will take a censer full of burning coals from the Altar before God and two
handfuls of finely ground aromatic incense and bring them inside the curtain and
put the incense on the fire before God; the smoke of the incense will cover the
Atonement-Cover which is over the Testimony so that he doesn't die. He will
take some of the bull's blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the
Atonement-Cover, then sprinkle the blood before the Atonement-Cover seven
times. "Next, he will slaughter the goat designated as the Absolution-Offering for
the people and bring the blood inside the curtain. He will repeat what he does
with the bull's blood, sprinkling it on and before the Atonement-Cover. In this
way, he will make atonement for the Holy of Holies because of the uncleanness
of the Israelites, their acts of rebellion, and all their other sins. He will do the
same thing for the Tent of Meeting, which dwells among the people in the midst
of their uncleanness. There is to be no one in the Tent of Meeting from the time
Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Holy of Holies until he comes out,
having made atonement for himself, his household, and the whole community of
Israel. "Then he will come out to the Altar that is before God and make
atonement for it. He will take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's
blood and smear it all around the four horns of the Altar. With his finger, he will
sprinkle some of the blood on it seven times to purify and consecrate it from the
uncleanness of the Israelites. "When Aaron finishes making atonement for the
Holy of Holies, the Tent of Meeting, and the Altar, he will bring up the live goat,
lay both hands on the live goat's head, and confess all the iniquities of the People
of Israel, all their acts of rebellion, all their sins. He will put all the sins on the
goat's head and send it off into the wilderness, led out by a man standing by and
ready. The goat will carry all their iniquities to an empty wasteland; the man will
let him loose out there in the wilderness. "Finally, Aaron will come into the Tent
of Meeting and take off the linen clothes in which he dressed to enter the Holy of
Holies and leave them there. He will bathe in the water in a Holy Place, put on
his priestly vestments, and offer the Whole-Burnt-Offering for himself, and the
Whole-Burnt-Offering for the people, making atonement for himself and the
people, and burn the fat of the Absolution-Offering on the Altar. "The man who
takes the goat out to Azazel in the wilderness then will wash his clothes and
bathe himself with water. After that, he will be permitted to come back into the
camp. The bull for the Absolution-Offering and the goat for the Absolution-
Offering, whose blood has been taken into the Holy of Holies to make atonement,
are to be taken outside the camp and burned — their hides, their meat, and their
entrails. The man assigned to burn them up will then wash his clothes and bathe
himself in water. Then he is free to come back to the camp. "This is standard
practice for you, a perpetual ordinance. On the tenth day of the seventh month,
both the citizen and the foreigner living with you are to enter into a solemn fast
and refrain from all work, because on this day atonement will be made for you, to

47
 cleanse you. In the presence of God, you will be made clean of all your sins. It is
a Sabbath of all Sabbaths. You must fast. It is a perpetual ordinance. "The priest
who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father is to make the atonement: He
puts on the sacred linen garments; He purges the Holy of Holies by making
atonement; He purges the Tent of Meeting and the Altar by making atonement;
He makes atonement for the priests and all the congregation.” This is a perpetual
ordinance for you: Once a year, atonement is to be made for all the sins of the
People of Israel." And Aaron did it, just as God commanded Moses.” 60

In His command to Moses, God made His instruction clear that there will be some

lots that Aaron would perform so that he could find which one among the goats was

acceptable by God. In the same way, God also had to put a lot during the Passover, so

that, the right candidate could be chosen to save humanity.

“Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will
ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?” 61

Then the people chose Barnabas over Christ, who made it possible for all the sins of

man to be upon Christ on the cross. He became the sin offering to all. The heft of sin,

which could have lured us to hell, was all put on Him. Charles C. Spurgeon said;

“An enormous load of human guilt

was on my Savior laid;
with woes as with a garment he
for sinners was arrayed.” 62

With all His fullness of deliverance, Jesus saved us from our sins that were rolled

year after year by the High Priest. We were all lost in our messes, but the love of God

pursued and conveyed us back to Himself. Sins, diseases, and anything else that enslaved

us have now no power over us, for Christ has delivered us from them all, through His

blood. In agreement with the forgiveness that Jesus offered to us, Watchman Nee said;

“Because the Lord Jesus died on the Cross, I have received forgiveness of sins; because

the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, I have received new life; because the Lord Jesus has

60
THE MESSAGE Leviticus 16:2-34
61
King James Version Matthew 27:17
62
Charles Spurgeon, “694. Sin Laid on Jesus.” P.17.1, January 6, 2011.

48
been exalted to the right hand of the Father, I have received the outpoured Spirit. All is

because of Him; nothing is because of me.” 63 Jesus did it all for humanity; it is

incredible. He became our substitute and gave His life to all.

a. From Accredited Sin to Accredited Righteousness

Accredited sin affected humanity when Adam disobeyed the instruction of the

Almighty God in the Garden of Eden. John Bunyan, with unambiguous intrinsic, stated,

“There is no other way for sinners to be justified from the curse of the law in the sight of

God, than the imputation of the righteousness long ago performed by, and still residing

with, the person of Jesus.” 64

The scripture also made it clear that, as a result of that single act of disobedience,

sin came to all.

“Sin came into the world through one man, and his sin brought death with it. As a
result, death has spread to the whole human race because everyone has sinned.”65

Earlier on, the Apostle Paul gave out an excellent description of how the single

obedience of Jesus Christ made us the righteousness of God;

“Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the
consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with
God in any way.” 66

The blood of Jesus Christ has uprooted the roots of the accredited sinful nature of

Adam, which the human race inherited so that all shall have a relationship with our Lord.

“Now that we have God's approval by faith, we have peace with God because of
what our Lord Jesus Christ has done.” 67

63
Watchman Nee. “Watchman Nee Quotes About Jesus | A-Z Quotes.”
64
John Bunyan. “The Works of John Bunyan. p.302.
65
Good News Translation Romans 5:12
66
THE MESSAGE Romans 5:9
67
GOD'S WORD Romans 5:1

49
 Righteousness is a gift we receive through faith in Christ Jesus, and it is a gift to

everyone that believes in Him. We did not work for it; instead, He freely gave it to us.

b. Acquired Sin to Acquired Nature of Christ

Apostle John also explained how those who have received Christ had become the

sons of God. These are the individuals that are born not by the desire of the flesh, but

they are born of God.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor
of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” 68

The new birth in Christ erases the acquired sin, and the Adamic nature in all those

who are born in Christ, from the seed of the first Adam. As it is said, “Everyone who

believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone that loves the Father

loves whoever has been born of him.” 69 Our faith in God and the finished work of Christ

on the cross has given us a new nature and a new identity. It is our faith in Christ that

makes available the promises of God to us. The faith in God begins to act and work

when God released His power, to dismiss doubt, and endows in the believer with the

power of knowing and understanding.

With no shadow of a doubt, faith in Christ has made man a member of God’s

family with a new blood lineage.

c. Individual or Personal Sin

C.S. Lewis once said;

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man-
made, He would have done no less.” 70

68
King James Version John 1:12-13
69
English Standard Version 1 John 5:1
70
Lewis, C. S. Good Reads.

50
 Because man has received the nature of God, and has fellowship with the righteous

God, individually, we are in the right shape to relate to God. Luke, the Apostle, gives a

perfect example of personal sins. The account here has provided the protocol of how

Zacchaeus became a new individual after he met Jesus.

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of
Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who
Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran
ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him since Jesus was coming that
way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus,
come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at
once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He
has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the
Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and
if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the
amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because
this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save
the lost.” 71

During Zacchaeus' conviction, two things were self-evident; firstly, his relationship

with God came into existence. He began to acknowledge what he has been fouling up in

all his years. Secondly, his eyes were opened with the words of the Messiah, to observe

and comprehend the evil of his own heart that made him require a Savior. Also, he made

a stride of love by offering back what he thought was his. Zacchaeus then acknowledged

that being rich or wealthy was not necessary to hold back to oneself but to give it back.

Before his encounter with Christ, he has lost his relationship with God, because of his

ideation of what he thought to be real riches. His character was slanted as a result of his

way of life. Billy Graham wrote, “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is

lost, something is lost; when a character is lost, all is lost.” 72 When sins have lost their

dominion, men begin to appreciate their relationship with God more than any other

thing.

71
New International Version Luke 19:1-10
72
Billy Graham, Brainy Quotes.

51
 All that men need is a heart filled with love instead of hatred, and that is the reason

why the Son of God came to the earth. The newness of the heart is received when

personal and individual sins receive forgiveness in the blood of the Lamb. Through

Christ, we come to the knowledge of everything, because He shines in our path.

2. The holiness of God Approachable

Through the blood of Jesus Christ, there is access to the Holy presence of God. The

author of Hebrews, describing the depth of access in which one can approach the

holiness of God, writes, “Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest

by the blood of Jesus.” 73 Boldness is one of the character traits, access to God’s Holy

presence provides. Entering into the most sacred place in the Old Testament was

scarring, and coupled with fear. Because, with a minuscule mistake, one could be struck

down dead. The blood of Jesus has provided for all who believe, in undeniable access to

the Father.

Enlightening the Ephesians church concerning the acceptance of the Father’s

presence, the Apostle Paul remarked, “For through him, we both have access by one is

Spirit to the Father.” 74 Having obtained this admittance to the Father is the uppermost

and fragrant pleasure that all humans need, to satisfy the hunger deeply rooted in their

souls. Sin and its consequences had robbed the man of this incredible privilege.

However, the love of God has provided a way from which humankind could approach

the holiness of God again. The scriptures above confirm and make it quite vivacious that

we have obtained access through the blood of Jesus. Let unpacked the word access, a

little bit.

73
King James Version Hebrews 10:19
74
Ibid Ephesians 2:18

52
 The word “access” means; “the method or way of approaching a place or a person,

or the right to use or look at something.” 75 The blood of Jesus has paved the way for

humanity to enjoy the Holy presence of God again. Jesus Christ has become the mediator

between humanity and God. We have the right to approach God with boldness. The

enmity between God and man is no more because of the blood. God’s number one

agenda for the world is to produce men after His kind.

Jesus came to restore to man the image of God, which was distorted and corrupted

by sin. We are made holy through the blood, and we have fellowship with Jesus Christ to

approach the Holiness of God. No man can enter into the presence of God, without

firstly, building a healthy relationship with Christ Jesus. Constant intimacy with Christ,

manifest the holiness of God.

Was it, not the Apostle John, who chronicled the words of Christ, when some

disciples became concerned about the news which got to their attention concerning Jesus

and the crowd which followed Him? At this time, the Pharisees were unhappy and

planned to eliminate Him because of the many people who were coming to Christ. The

disciples were in great distress about the life of Christ, but Christ Himself was aware,

knowing His purpose on the earth. The following were the words of Christ, penned down

by the Apostle;

“Verily, verily, I say unto, except wheat of corn falls into the ground and die, it
abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit.” 76

Christ was the only one whom God was well pleased. Thus, for God to have more

men to please Him, He needed to sow His Son as a seed and reap the fruit of more men

75
Cambridge Dictionary. s
76
King James Version John 12:24

53
that have the nature of His Son. The seed, which is Christ, has produced more men with

the divine nature like Himself unto His Father.

Before Christ died, He was the only Son of God, but when He resurrected, Jesus

Christ became the firstborn of many brethren. “For those whom He foreknew, He also

predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the

firstborn among many brethren.” 77

So now, those who believed in the Son are conformed to the very person of Christ

Jesus. God does not see us individually, but one in Christ Jesus. When God looks down

from His throne, He sees Christ everywhere, as holy as Christ is. We are in Christ,

justified, and Christ in us glorified. As sons of God, we now have access to approach His

holiness without fear.

Matthew Henry, reflecting on the tremendous work which God has performed in us

by the Holy Spirit, stated;

“What he requires of us he works in us. He that commands faith, holiness, and

love creates them by the power of His grace going along with his word that he
may have all the praise.” 78

Through His Son, God has created in us all, what it takes to bring glory to Him.

God would not demand of us, what He has not created or worked in us. “True holiness is

not achieved by what we do, but what we allow God to do in us.” 79 He has done it all

and has provided all for us to become like His Son. Because Christ has made it possible

for those who believe in Him to have access to God’s presence, there exists a

relationship with God.

77
New American Standard Bible Romans 8:29
78
“Matthew Henry’s Commentary Geneis Chapter 1 Verses 6-8”, biblegateway.com.
79
Hart, Mark. Azquotes.

54
 3. Relationship with God

We may have many relationships, but one relationship tops it all. That is a

relationship with God. A relationship with God is the foundation of all other forms of

relationships. Being granted access to come nearer to God has restored the lost

relationship Adam had with God in the Garden of Eden. Because those who believe are

made holy, through His Son, such individuals are now in a lovely relationship with God.

A relationship with God should be necessary for every living being. Was it not Tom

Holladay, who once made an incredible comment, on the importance of our relation to

God. In his expression, Tom said;

“From beginning to end, nothing is more important than relationships. In the

beginning, God created you for relationships. He made you relate to him and
others. Miss out on relationships, and you’re missing the core reason for which
God put you on this planet. And in the end, nothing is more important, because
nothing will last longer than relationships. Your relationships with God and
others will last all the way into eternity.” 80

It is something that must be protected because we lose it all when we lose our

relationship with God. That is the purpose for which He created human beings. John, the

revelator, in giving his account of the purpose of God’s creation said;

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast
created all things, and for thy pleasure, they are and were created.” 81

John’s disclosure above confirms the fact that all that exists in the world is, for

God’s pleasure. He created all things, including human beings, and the purpose of His

creations is to give Him pleasure. The description in Genesis chapter 1, evidently proves

that God was delighted in His creation, without any hesitation. The word relationship, as

the Cambridge dictionary gives to us, means; “how two things are connected: it also

80
Tom Holladay. “THE RELATIONSHIP PRINCIPLES OF JESUS.” (2008). p.26.
81
King James Version Revelation 4:11

55
means how two or more people feel and behave towards each other.” 82 Come to think of

it; the new birth has reconnected mankind to his Creator. Not only that, but also, our

perception of God has changed. There is a better understanding of how God feels toward

His creation.

All those who believed in Christ are now related to God’s family because they are

born of God. The blood, which runs through Christ, the same flow through them now.

Humanity has a better relationship with God, without any fear and hidings when we hear

the voice of God. We can now boldly call Him our Father because He has begotten us.

There exists now, a Father and son relationship. Andrew Wommack reminds us that,

what we have with God now, is not an artifact of skills, or labor. In his words, he said;

“This is also the very reason why religious people fiercely oppose the Gospel.
After working so hard to be holy and good, they hear someone like me saying
that God accepts us based on faith, not based on our performance. This, in a
sense, means that all of their good work and effort is wasted. That is not entirely
true. Even though it does not gain us anything with God, it does benefit us
personally in our relationships with people and by limiting Satan’s access to us.
However, as far as earning us the right standing with God, it is worthless. It does
not provide us with enough goodness to be able to relate to Him. The only way
we can relate to God is by grace and by putting faith in that grace. That is how
we gain access.”83

It is not by performance, because no amount of performance could have attained

such a relationship with God; it is by grace and love. Apostle Paul, in his letter to the

Ephesians church, reminded them of how far we were from God because of sin, said,

“But now in Christ Jesus, you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the

blood of Christ.” 84 We, who were formerly not correlated because of sin, are now

through the blood of Jesus, brought home to God again.

82
Combrdge Dictionary.
83
Andrew Wommack. “GRACE, THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL: It’s Not What You Do, But What
Jesus Did.” (2007). p.44 last paragraph. Harrison House.
84
New American Standard Bible Ephesians 2:13

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 We are nearer now, not far off any longer. It is God’s eternal plan that all men

should come to the knowledge of this peculiar relationship that subsists between Him

and those who have faith in His Son. It is an exuberant experience to know that one has a

relationship with God, not based on works. The consciousness that, a person’s circadian

relationship with God, is an act of God, based on the completed work of Christ, and not

of man’s religious rituals, sets one’s mind at ease. Believers should remind themselves of

this truth.

Do all believe in the possibility of having a relationship with God? Certainly no.

It is relatively challenging to clarify to someone on the part of the planet we dwell on

having a fatherly relationship. Even though many have come to the saving knowledge of

Christ, they still agonize over their relationship with God. Single mothers build many

homes and families. South Africa, where I currently reside, has a massive problem with

nonexistent father figures in societies. As reported by Makuo, he said; “About 57% of

South African children are brought up without fathers.” 85 These figures keep adding up

every day, and it is undoubtedly disquieting and has some weight on those who even are

in the Christian faith. The statistician general’s report divulges that;

“South Africa has one of the highest rates of absent fathers in sub-Saharan
Africa, and according to released figures, 897 750 of the registered birth
occurrences in South Africa, 62% of births have no father's details.” 86

As a result of this fatherlessness endemic, many grow up, deprived of fatherly love

and care. Hence, it is challenging to share with many a relationship with God. Whenever

you discuss a relationship with God, what comes to the mind of many is the depiction

that already exists with them. A father who is always absent, a father who takes no

responsibility for his children. Many have no idea of what it means to relate to a father.

85
Researched by Gopolang Makou, edited by Anim van Wyk
86
Maluleke, Risenga. Statistician-General of South Africa.

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Fatherlessness has become a global prevalent. Fathers continue to disappear from homes,

abandoning children with no fatherly voice in their lives. John Bishop once remarks;

“The ways your father behaved toward you—what he said to you, how he treated
you, everything he did and didn’t do—had an impact on you in some way.
Depending on how you were treated, mistreated, or just plain ignored, you have
come up with your ideas of what a father is like. Because of this, I am quite
certain that how you see and perceive your heavenly Father, God, has also been
impacted—distorted even—by your relationship with your earthly dad. When I
became a Christ-follower, I struggled a bit with the Trinity. Mind you, I had no
issues with Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but I struggled to see God as “Father.”
Having only my personal experience as a reference point, I wondered if God
would be like a bigger version of my dad. Would He leave me when I failed?
Punish me for not measuring up? For years, I wrestled with the concept of God as
Father.” 87

There are millions around the world today, who are suffering from the impact of

fatherlessness, and absent father figures in their lives. The hurting, frustrations, and

hopelessness in societies and homes are overwhelming. This situation, in a way, makes it

problematic to talk about a fatherly relationship with God. Such individuals need to hear

the good news of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The gospel message about the love

of God needs to be preached in its simplicity so that such individuals may understand the

probability of having a relationship with God, even if their biological fathers were

absent.

How do such people come to the knowledge of a relationship with God?

David understood and expressed his plight when he was abandoned in the desert with the

wild beast. David had many challenges in his upbringing because of the circumstances

which surrounded his birth. In expounding how he survived, he wrote, “When my father

and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” 88 God is ever ready to

welcome us whenever we come to Him.

87
John Bishop. “God Distorted: How Your Earthly Father Affects Your Perception of God and Why It
Matters.” (2013). p.23 Multnomah Books.
88
King James Version Psalm 27:10

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 As a Father, He does not want to impose Himself on us because He is God; instead,

He gives us the willingness to come to Him. God is never too far from his own, but there

is a need to acknowledge Him as our Father first. All that God demands of us is a step

toward Him. Our relationship with God is indeed a life we could not have attained by

ourselves. It is only the transformed life that can be in a relationship with God. When we

come to the saving knowledge of Christ, the amazing transformation which takes place

in our lives positions us to be worthy of a relationship with God. The blood of His only

begotten Son has cleansed us; therefore, we are eligible to enter into a relationship with

God.

Such individuals, who have suffered, and still suffering the absence of fatherly

relationships should, first of all, allow the word of God to transform them. Only God can

heal our broken hearts and mend our lives. The Psalmist said, “He heals the broken-

hearted and binds up their wounds.” 89 A fractured life that has suffered may result

ultimately in pain and fear. However, the good news is, God knows our hearts, and if we

would honestly open up to Him, God will restore our lives. Christ alone has the power to

set us free from our past and prepare us for a glorious future. Below are some of the

things one enjoys when they are in a relationship with God.

The benefits of our relationship with God; as a man comes into a relationship with

God, there are some benefits he enjoys as a child of God. Below are some of the benefits.

Complete in Him; as He draws us to Himself, we are made perfect in Him. Apostle

Paul explains to the Colossian church about their completeness in God said, “And in

Him, you have been made whole, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” 90
The

word complete means; “to bring to an end and especially into a perfected state or to

89
New King James Version Psalm 147:3
90
New American Standard Bible Colosians 2:10

59
make whole or perfect.” 91 In Christ, we lack absolutely nothing. We have all the

spiritual and physical blessings. All that belongs to Christ belongs to them that believe in

Him. The body, soul, and spirit are in perfect state. It is startling to know that we are not

only complete in Him, but He shares His completeness with His children.

Love for others Deepen; in my walk with God, I have experienced hostility from

many unbelieving communities and families. However, the good news is, as they gave

their lives to Christ, they are no more hostile; instead, their love for others has waxed

great. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 92 We are all able to

relate better to one another when we have an honest and healthy relationship with God.

We are only able to sharpen each other when we have a relationship with God. It

pleases God when men live in harmony. God created humanity in such a manner that

each one needs someone. In other to have the greatest joy in our relationship with others,

we must first have a good one with God. All the societal problems we face in the world

today are a result of an unhealthy relationship with God. The quality of our relationship

with our fellow brethren is a direct reflection of how we relate to God. Love your

neighbor as you only become practical, and possible, when we have a relationship with

God. Pope Benedict XVI, put it this way;

“The relationship between individuals or communities and the environment

ultimately stems from their relationship with God. When a man turns his back on
the Creator’s plan, he provokes a disorder which has inevitable repercussions on
the rest of the created order.” 93

We can assist others in establishing a relationship with God; God uses men to

help men, but that could be possible when we have a relationship with God. It is when

91
Merriam-webster Dictionary.
92
New International Version Proverbs 27:17
93
Pope Benedict XVI. “Letter Of His Holiness Benedict Xvi To The Ecumenical Patriarch Of
Constantinope On The Occasion Of The Seventh Symposium Of The Religion, Science And The
EnvironmentMovement”. (2007).

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we stand in our relationship with God; then we can help others. S. Thayappan confirms

that;

“I used to go for walking on seeing them in order to avoid them off. But they
ignored all my irritant behavior and went on firmly in bringing me to Christ by
preaching the Word as Apostle Paul has exhorted in 2 Tim 4:2, “in season and
out of season.” They loved me and my son so much; they were ready to do
anything for us, expecting nothing from us. They reflected the true love of Jesus
Christ. It was their sincere, true, selfless Christian love that finally cracked me
and won me fully to Christ. I was able to see Jesus in them. I received the holy
love of Jesus through them. They were true Christians. I was a hard nut to crack
and a very strong religious-minded Hindu. I had studied Hindu Vedas Scriptures,
and I was very deeply engrossed into them. Further, I had hated Christianity and
was dead against it. I was an educated, experienced, and matured person and not
to be easily converted on account of my son’s sickness alone. It was their sincere
prayer, love, real Christian life, and fellowship that turned my mind and soul to
Jesus Christ. It is because of them, and we are now enjoying such a blessed life
with so much of peace, happiness, love, and fellowship of so many people that
we have not enjoyed in our entire life.” 94

It is a fantastic experience to see others come into a relationship with God. The

transformation which takes place in their lives brings joy and peace.

We have Peace; we do not only have peace but a lasting one when we are in a

relationship with Christ. He is the Prince of peace. Was it, not the prophet Isaiah, who

said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he

trusteth in thee.” 95 “Being, therefore, justified by faith, we have peace with God through

our Lord Jesus Christ.” 96 We have peace on every side as we enter into a relationship

with God. In Christ, we have peace. Greg Herrick had rightly said, “My friend, with God

every day is Christmas. Peace has flowed from heaven and will never cease. God will

never take up arms against you again. You are no longer an enemy.” 97 We are nearer to

God, and therefore, there is peace in our lives.

94
S. Thayappan. “My Cry And Joyful New Life.” (2006). p.26.
95
King James Version Isaiah 26:3
96
American Standard Version Romans 5:1
97
Herrick, Greg. “Our Relationship with God: Experiencing the Future Now.” (2004). paragrah 13.

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 Continues Victory; All those who walk with God, have the assurance of victory in

all situations. We are preordained to live a productive victorious life, no matter how

many fracases one encounters in life. The Bible pronounces in Deuteronomy 20:4, “For

the Lord, your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to

give you victory.”

We have a complete victory in all our battles, from sin to diseases. The battles have

now become the Lord’s. We are not in the fight alone; the Lord goes with us into the

battles and gives us victory. The Apostle Paul agrees by asserting, “But thanks be to

God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 98 Charles Spurgeon,

reflecting on the victory Christ gives us, wrote;

“I am the subject of depression so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such
extremes of dejection as I go to. But I always get back again by this-I know that I
trust Christ. I have no reliance but in Him, and if He falls, I shall fall with Him.
However, if He does not, I shall not. Because He lives, I shall live also, and I
spring to my legs again and fight with my depressions of spirit and get the victory
through it. And so may you do, and so you must, for there is no other way of
escaping from it.” 99

Because our God cannot fall, we cannot also be defeated. I have personally seen the

victorious hand of God in my life. The truth is, nothing can be against us. We shall

continue to triumph over all situations and circumstances. As a man spends time with

God, continues, victory becomes his portion. Our victory is in Christ, and His power.

Believers are nothing without Him. “Outside of Christ,” exclaimed Watchman Nee, “I

have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious. How meaningful are the words "in

Christ."100 We are vulnerable without Christ.

98
Good News Translation 1 Corinthians 15:57
99
Spurgeon, Charles. AZQuotes.com.
100
Nee, Watchman.

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 We Are Christ-Like; as a man walks in a relationship with God each day, the

grace of becoming like Christ is made available. John the Apostle simplifies it for

us;

“Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He
walked.” 101

It is unscriptural, to abide in Him, and walk in our classifiable custom of life. He

loves us, is saved by Him, has a relationship with Him, is made complete in Him, and

has peace in Him, one must also live and walk like Him. To live and walk as He means,

we should imitate His pattern of life, how He served humanity with compassion, and

with such great love for all creation.

It means we should model our lives, not in inequality, but in His likeness. We

cannot be in Him and not be like Him. A good tree can never bring forth corrupt fruit. A

man cannot be mediocre after they have been with Christ. There is a higher life for all

those who walk in a loving and healthy relationship with God.

We Know His Will; it is certainly possible for those who are in a relationship with

God to know His will. When you come closer to an individual, you begin to understand

what they like and dislike. I consented to Henry Blackaby when he made such a bold

statement. In his words, he disclosed that;

“If Christians around the world were to suddenly renounce their personal
agendas, their life goals, and their aspirations, and begin responding in radical
obedience to everything God showed them. The world would be turned upside
down. How do we know? Because that is what first-century Christians did, and
the world is still talking about it.” 102

Knowing God’s will is the pathway to a fruitful and impactful life. It is unwise not

to understand what the intentions of your fathers are. The Greek word for “will” actually

101
English Standard Version 1 John 2:6
102
Blackaby, Henry. AZquotes.

63
means; “what one wishes or has determined shall be done.” 103 As we walk carefully

with God, we come to know His wishes, and what He desires from us.

An example is observed in the narrative of Abraham’s relationship with God, which

is given to us by Moses in the book of Genesis.

“When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham
walked along with them to see them on their way. 17 Then the Lord said, “Shall I
hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great
and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. 19 For I
have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his household after him to
keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just so that the Lord will
bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” 104

Abraham’s relationship with God brought him to a place where God could now

share His intention and what He has determined to do. It is when we have an intimate

relationship with God, shall we know His will. It is always important, for one to

understand what God is doing, in particular times and seasons. Our will shall be in line

with God’s will when we come to know His will.

When we know His will, we have a better understanding of what He has purposed

for all those who love Him. For instance, if one is sick, he/she knows what God has said

concerning that particular situation. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “I just want to do

God’s will.” 105 There is nothing more striking than His will when we find it. The

remarkable part follows, one thing is quite discernible; once there is a relationship, there

also comes a fellowship. Let us observe the fellowship we have with God.

4. Fellowship with God

103
Lexicon.
104
Holy Bible, New International Bible. Genesis 18:16-19
105
King Jr.,Martin Luther. Address to sanitation workers, Memphis, Tenn., (3 Apr. 1968).

64
 The word fellowship means; “a friendly feeling that exists between people who

have a shared interest.” 106 Man was never created to be alone or wander alone in

loneliness. We were created to have a fellowship with our creator. As men continue to

enjoy fellowship with God, they receive new Strength.

As a result of an established relationship with God through the work of Christ on

the cross, man can now have a fellowship. There is restoration for the camaraderie,

which existed at the beginning before the fall, and we are now friends with God and not

enemies. The blood of His only Son has removed the hostility between man and God.

Christ has abolished the yearly approach to God’s presence, by His blood. Now we have

access to God, without any limitations or boundaries.

5. The Penalty for Sin Paid

The Bible states clearly that “the wages of sin is death.” 107 Death in the sense of

separation from God. The penalty for disobedience was a debt that rested on the

shoulders of man for many years. God could have left humanity to suffer the

consequences of Adam’s disobedience, but His very nature, which is love, permitted

Him not. “What I deserve is hell,” bellowed Lee Ann, “nothing more and nothing

less. What I get is an eternity with my King when I make Jesus the Lord and Savior of

my life.” 108

God’s everlasting love for humanity, brought a permanent solution to the

punishment of man’s sin. “For by one sacrifice, He has made perfect forever those who

are being made holy.” 109 Holiness and perfection are brought to us by the sacrifice made

by Christ with His life. Throughout the gospel messages, we observed the demonstration

106
Combridge Dictionary.
107
The Holy Bible, New International Verion. Romans 6:23
108
Lee Ann “I Deserve Punishment from God – I Messed up Too Much.” (2014). paragraph 4.
109
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Hebrews 10:14

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of this unparalleled love, through the Son of God. The animal sacrifices could not pay

the ultimate price for man’s sins, and God in His infinite mercies, provided His only

begotten Son as a substitution in place of man. The Apostle Peter, by divine inspiration,

made a staggering statement. Understanding what Christ has done for humanity stated

that; “who himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might die to sin and

live for righteousness; “by his wounds, you have been healed.” 110 Christ took upon

Himself, the penalty for man’s sins, and died on the tree.

The obedience of Christ appeased the clouds of God’s wrath toward humanity. “But he

was wounded for our transgressions, and he was bruised for our iniquities; the

chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed.” 111
Jesus

could have sat on His throne in heaven, and wished humanity all the best but, He took

upon Himself, the punishment He deserves not, and paid for the sins of the world. The

wounds we merited were on Christ. God could not have pardoned man of his

transgression without the complete payment for the penalty. Billy Graham on the subject

of God’s justice recorded;

“God took His Son and offered Him as a sacrifice to redeem man from the
punishment of his sin. God has offered His love and mercy and forgiveness to
men. From the cross, God has said to the whole world, I love you.” 112

The punishment which was against man, as a result of the disobedience of sin, was

on Christ, and all its charges were laid on Him. God intentionally took His Son and

offered Him a sacrifice on the cross, to pay for the charges laid on humanity. Addressing

the Galatian church, the Apostle Paul reminded the believers of the curse, which was

evident over humanity as a result of sin. He jogged their memories on the curse that

Christ redeemed us from, said;

110
The Holy Bible, New International Bible. 1 Peter 2:24
111
King James Version Isaiah 53:5
112
Graham, Billy. “The Justice of God.” (2017). paragraph 12.

66
 “
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for
it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree: that upon the Gentiles
might come to the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the
promise of the Spirit through faith.” 113

Christ has redeemed us. He paid the debt for humanity with His own life so that,

through Him, man shall have peace with God. The Apostle Matthew gives an account of

how Christ appropriated the place of man and died for him. Matthew presents to us the

character of the exchange, which took place before Christ went to the cross. He reported

the court proceedings between Barnabas, who was a disreputable prisoner, and a

murderer, and Jesus Christ, who was accused insincerely of charges without any

evidence.

When these two men were brought before the assembly of the people, for one to be

set free, they chose Barnabas over Christ. The people might have thought that they have

set Barnabas free because of their loudest shout, but that was not the truth. Below is what

Matthew penned down;

“
Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you
want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew
that they had handed Him over because of envy.” 114

Even Pilate was aware that the accusations laid on Christ were untrue and wrong,

yet, the politics of the day compelled him to hand Him (Christ) over to be humiliated and

crucified. The quality of the truth about the freedom of Barnabas and the unlawful

prosecution of the Son of God is the true inscrutability and the purpose of why Christ

came on the earth. What took place between Christ, and Barnabas was the portrait of

how Christ would take the place of all mortality, and suffer for them.

113
American Standard Version Galatians 3:13-14
114
New King James Version Matthew 27:17-18.

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 It was indubitably that God’s love set Barnabas free, not the crowd. Barnabas, who

merited to die for his sins, was set free. It was not his excellent deeds, because

perceptibly he has none. Christ was substituted by God, in place of the sinful man, to pay

the penalty for sins He did not commit. As compendiously expounded by Dr. David

Wells, the glorious and astonishing work was done on the cross by Christ, between God

and Man, John Stott cited him. In his difference in opinion and terminologies, Wells

said;

“In Pauline's thought, man is alienated from God by sin, and God is alienated
from man by wrath. It is in the substitutional death of Christ that sin is overcome,
and wrath averted so that God can look on man without displeasure, and man can
look on God without fear. Sin is expiated, and God is propitiated.” 115

Nothing in history, which confronts us today in the gospels, except the message of

the cross. It is the cross that has bridged the gap between man and his Creator. The wrath

of God was averted, and taken by the life and the sacrifice of the only begotten Son of

God. There is, therefore, no displeasure on the side of God, and there is no fear on the

side of man. John the Apostle records the words of Christ, with His disciples in which

Christ was explaining the need to love each other because He has given Himself to all

states; “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” 116

In the history of the universe, no man has ever done something more significant

than what the Son of God did on the cross of Calvary, for humanity. He alone is the one

who can save to the uttermost. He is able. The word ‘able’ means “having sufficient

power, skill, or resources to do something. It also means; having a quality or nature that

makes something.” 117 The only well able, and competent candidate, suitable to pay the

115
Stott, John R.W. “The Cross of Christ.” (1986). p.175 InterVarsity Press.
116
Holy Bible, New International Version John 15:13
117
Merriam-webster Dictionary.

68
debt owed by man as a result of sin, was Jesus Christ. There is no boundary to which

extent He can save. He has completely paid for the penalty with His own life.

Today, anyone that calls upon the Name of the Lord has passed through death to

life in Christ. The death penalty was on Christ, and in exchange, man has attained eternal

life. Indeed, we are freed from the wrath of God and now slaves of Christ alone. Paul, in

his message to the Galatians, explained the life we live in now. He said, “I have been

crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life

which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave

himself up for me.” 118 Amazing! The question would now be, what does it mean to be

crucified with Christ? Does it imply one needs to go to the cross? Apostle Paul answers

the above-asked questions in his letter to the Romans. In his words, he asked, “Don’t you

know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”
119
He also spoke of the life the believers live now; what kind of life does the believer

live now? A life in which Christ lived in those who believe. A life through faith in the

finished work of Christ Jesus.

As a final point, the life in which the believer lives should be an appreciation of

what Jesus has done. On the side of humanity, all which God demands is praising,

worshiping, and being thankful to Him.

6. From Spiritual Death to Resurrected Life

The resurrection of Christ resolved the banishment from God's presence as a result

of spiritual death. God could have chosen any other method to draw man nearer to

Himself, but He chose death and resurrection as an antidote to man’s condition. Christ

118
New Heart English Bible Galatians 2:20
119
New International Version Romans 6:3

69
has to die because the man was dead and also must resurrect because the man needed a

resurrection to a new life. The Scripture makes us cognize that;

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much that even though we were
dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It
is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead
along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are
united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of
the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has
done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” 120

He did not only raise us together with Christ, but he also made us sit together with

Christ in heavenly places. The work of Christ would have been in vain if Christ

remained in the grave.

It was the resurrection, the very thing man needed to be back unto his original

estate. If death could not hold Him and enslaved Him, it means, death has no power over

man through Christ Jesus. The power of death, in which the power of Christ’s

resurrection conquered, reigned from Adam throughout generations. Paul remarkably

expressed the joy he has, to the Corinthian brethren about the victory Christ has

conferred on them that believe in the power of death. By revelation, he put it in this

manner;

“O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?”
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 121

The sting of death is sin, and now since sin has no power over man, there is no sting

of death. All thanks to God, who has made it possible through His Son, for humanity to

end the endless reign of death and sin.

120
New Living Translation Ephesians 2:4-7
121
New King James Version 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

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 Because of Christ, there is no more deadness in the spirit of those who believe,

neither separated nor banished from God’s presence, but instead, those who believe in

the Son of God, are now residents of the heavenly home. Candidates of eternal life in

Christ. The resurrection has brought life. By His resurrection, Christ has freed the

prisoners of Satan’s kingdom. Jesus himself boldly declared, “All the powers in heaven

and on earth are now His, and those who believe in Him have the ability and authority

over all things.” 122

122
New King James Version Matthew 28:18

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 TOPIC 8: SAVED PEOPLE SERVE

Those who are born again by the grace of God, in turn, must render their services

not only to God but also to other brethren. Individuals who have come to the saving

knowledge of Christ should be servants in the kingdom of God, the church, and the

world at large. Servanthood is the only vacancy available to those who have come into

the kingdom of God. Christ, Himself was the chief servant of all. In the gospel of Mark,

the Bible says, “For even the Son of Man Himself did not come to be served but to serve,

and to give His life as a ransom to many.” 123

The Savior Himself, the very model of the Christian faith, came to serve humanity

and offered His own life for many. Today, God is not asking anyone to give their lives as

ransom or to die in the place of others, but to become a carrier of the good news, to the

unreached and the unloved. We were redeemed with a price for a purpose, and that

purpose is to bring others to the saving grace of God. I consented with John Piper when

he expressed his thoughts on the fact that there is a great need for those who have come

to know the truth and the depth of God’s love to extend the hand of love to all by sharing

the good news of the cross. Piper positioned it in this manner;

“He died to ransom people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Now, those people out there don’t know this. They haven’t seen it, they haven’t
tested it, and they know nothing about the doctrine of justification by faith, the
perfect righteousness brought out by Jesus in his life. They know nothing about
substitutionary death. They know nothing about a resurrection, triumph over hell
and death, and all the demons they are so afraid of, and they know nothing about
free grace that’s so different from Allah and Islam, and all the seven hundred
million gods of Hinduism. They do not know the glory of God in the face of
Christ and the gospel. They don’t know these things, and Christ died for millions
of them.” 124

123
New American Standard Bible Mark 10:45
124
Piper, John. “The Surpassing Excellency of God in the Joy of His Suffering People.” (1999) paragraph
42.

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 The sad actuality is that countless still have no idea of God’s gift to them, neither

what He has proffered for the emancipation of their souls. It will take the simplicity of

the gospel message to make the truth known to them. As Piper said, several are still

afraid and are holding the belief that the only way to please God is to have more good

deeds than evil. The message of grace needs to reach out to them; for this reason, Christ

died for them all.

1. How do saved people serve?

They serve by allowing themselves to be useful in the hands of God. They become

partners with Christ, in pursuing God’s agenda here, on earth. “For we are partners,”

wrote Paul, the Apostle, “working together for God, and you are God’s field.” 125 Paul

elucidates how believers are partners with Christ. He was auxiliary to say that it is all

made possible by God’s grace. It is such an honor to be in partnership with Christ in

working for God. Those who believe in Christ have received the wisdom of God because

Jesus Christ is the wisdom sent from God. The word wisdom means; “the quality or state

of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action,

sagacity, discernment, or insight.” 126

If Christ, who is an embodiment of wisdom, abides in a man, he turns out to be

wise. If all the qualities mentioned reside in a man, he/she is in the position to partner

with Christ. We need this wisdom of God, to be able to serve. Each one of us requires

this knowledge to enable us to know what and where God wants us to serve. As uttered

by C. H. Spurgeon;

“But wisdom is not knowledge; we must not confuse the two. Wisdom is the
right use of knowledge, and Christ’s gospel helps us by teaching us the right use
of knowledge. It directs us. Yonder Christian has lost his way in a dark forest, but
125
Good News Translation (GNT) 1 Corinthians 3:9
126
Dictionary.com

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 God’s word is a compass to him and a lantern, too. He finds his way by Christ!
He comes to a turn in the road. Which is right and which is wrong? He cannot
tell. Christ is the great signpost, telling him which way to go. He sees every day
new straits—he knows not which way to steer. Christ is the great pilot who puts
his hand on the tiller and makes him wise to Christ.” 127

The wisdom of God, which is the person Christ Jesus endowed a man, with all that

it takes, to become a co-worker with Christ. As believers partner with Christ, they can

extend God’s love to the unloved, untouched, and unreached.

2. Where do saved people serve?

They serve in the body of Christ (the church) — when it comes to serving in the

body of Christ, everybody can serve, because the only prerequisite is to be born again.

As soon as a person has Christ in their heart, they can serve. The reason to have Christ in

a man’s heart before they serve is that, whatever a man offers with an intention or

understanding of doing it for God, he does it wholeheartedly.

The hope of the entire world relies on the church. Therefore, it makes the church,

the preeminent place to serve. The church is unquestionably the chosen place of God to

provide hope and love to the world. Serving in the church means, making God’s needs

the number one priority. There are many departments in the body of Christ, which one

can be part of, and serve. The children’s ministry, youth church, outreach ministry,

praise/worship department, and many others.

The Apostle Paul expounds on the fact that the body, which is the (church) has

many members or many parts, with different functions and purposes. When those who

believe become part of the body, which is the church, there are specific responsibilities

127
C. H. Spurgeon. “CHRIST—THE POWER AND WISDOM OF GOD.” NO. 132. (1857). p.5 last
paragraph.

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that await them according to the measure of grace given unto them. Each one is useful in

the body of Christ. Everyone is called out for a specific assignment in the church.

One of the right reasons to serve in the church is that it helps individuals to grow in

their walk with God. There are blessings that one receives, as one avails themselves to

serve and function in the church. Servitude is the only job God gives to those who come

to Him. Servanthood is a pathway to the throne, which Christ Himself exhibited or

demonstrated, while He was here on earth. It is in the services rendered by the

individuals who have had an encounter with Christ that shapes the church to be in the

position to serve their communities.

They serve their communities — the church exists in communities, and the

believing community lives among them. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the saved

ones, to impact their communities through services that draw men and women to God.

There are community works, in which the saved ones can participate — giving back to

the community, what Christ has blessed, and gifted them with — serving in

organizations or institutions that promote and raise the profile of communities.

Visiting the nursing homes and taking care of the segregated, and the less

privileged are things in which believers must participate. Since the world is made up of

communities, once the warm love of Christ touches the communities through the saved

ones, the entire world begins to change in the right direction.

No individuals can boldly claim their love for God, but in reality, they odium their

neighbors. So in serving the communities through diverse ways, we render it unto God.

The parable, told by Jesus, gives a clear picture of what is required of the Lord by the

saved community. In Luke’s gospel, we are told by the author, the need for being on the

side of those people who are hurting in our world today. Luke, penned down the parable

of Christ, and presented it to us, this way;

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 “On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he
asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he
replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your
mind; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. “You have answered
correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this, and you will live.” But he wanted to justify
himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply, Jesus said: “A
man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by
robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him
half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw
the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite when he came to the
place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled,
came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to
him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on
his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he
took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said,
‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the
hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on
him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” 128

There are many stripped-off, beaten friends, colleagues, and many others, whom the

thieves (Satan and his cohorts) have stolen what is rightfully theirs, and has left them

aggrieved, and wounded in many of our societies. The Pharisee, who posted the question

to Jesus about who is your neighbor, received a life-changing response from Christ.

Jesus, rearranged the issue with the parable of the Good Samaritan, and posted the

question back; ‘which kind of a neighbor are you?’ Jesus is still asking the saved ones

today, the same question. ‘Which kind of neighbor are you?’

As the saved ones are trained, and appropriately fed in Christ, they go out to live

their lives, embedded in the service to their communities. They are now equipped and

empowered, to convey the truth, and ease the downgraded. What gives meaning to our

existence is, when we give back to our communities dutifully. Was it not Nelson

Mandela, who said;

128
New International Version Luke 10:25-37

76
 “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference
we have made to the lives of others that determine the significance of the life we
lead.” 129

They serve their families; every human being is born into a physical family or

adopted into one. The family is the first institution established by the Almighty God

Himself, through which all lives begin. “A family is something you do not choose,”

exclaimed Tutu Desmond, “Your family is a God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” 130

Whenever an individual obtains salvation by the grace of God, it is not an excuse to

abandon your physical family, instead, it is a call to serve them. Deserting your family is

an egocentric way of living. What good will it make, to embrace strangers and strengthen

them, and forsake one's family? It is a question every believer must ask themselves.

When God saves a man in a specific family, that individual has become a representative

of God in the family. Through him, the rest of the family would come to experience

God’s love and care. He/she becomes an instrument in the hands of God, to bring about

salvation to the whole household.

Moses, in the book of Genesis by divine revelation, penned down the account of

how God instructed Abraham, concerning his household. These were the words from

God, penned down by Moses; “For I have chosen him so that he will command his

children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right

and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.” 131

God, in His eternal wisdom, singled out Abraham from his family to be the coxswain

light to his household. The purpose of God in singling out a person out of their families

is that they may lead their families after them, to walk and keep the ways of God. The

129
Mandela, Nelson. “Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Book of Quotations.” P.22 Pan
Macmillan.
130
Tutu, Demond. “God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time.”
131
Berean Study Bible Genesis 18:19

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ways of God are the very life designed for them to live. Help them to find God’s purpose

in their lives and live it. The ways of God are that which glorifies Him.

Those who have come to the saving knowledge of Christ are the ambassador of

light. They shine in their families, to demolish the works of darkness. They bring Christ

to their families. Getting the family to keep the ways of the Lord, and walk in a manner

of righteousness will not be a laid-back task, but with prayers, God provides the grace.

Noah was instructed by God to take his household to the ark. As it is given to us by

Moses, God said;

“Come with your household into the ark, for I have seen you to be righteous
(upright and in right standing) before Me in this generation.” 132

You might not be able to save everyone, but lead your family to Christ, and His

saving power. Living a self-serving and self-centered life in the family is the cause of all

problems in families around the world today. Love your family, by serving them both

their physical and also their spiritual needs. The true church begins with our families,

and each and everyone is called to lead their household as if they are leading the army of

God.

They serve their nation: The saved communities should contribute to the welfare

of the countries in which they dwell. The truth about the matter is that national

prosperity has a lot to do with personal well-being. When the nation prospers, it affects

its citizens.

In most cases, the believers have disassociated themselves from the affairs of the

country, leaving it in the wrong hands. For instance, most believers are of a perception

that politics is a dirty game. Therefore, it is left to certain people to play that game.

132
Amplified Version Genesis 7:1

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 The believers should begin to take part in politics because the issues concerning a

nation’s well-being, are brought to book on those milieus. We need Members of

Parliament, who are believers. Mayors, and Premiers who are born again to the glory of

God. King Solomon, by inspiration, and the wisdom of God understood that it takes

those who have faith in God, to build a nation. In his expression of knowledge, he

averred that “When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule,

the people groan.” 133 When the God-fearing men and women born of God, filled with

the Holy Spirit rule, the people flourish. Believers are called to serve their nations.

Believers need to be noble and patriotic, to seek the peace of their lands.

“Everyone has something to contribute to the life of their nation. No matter the race

or age, we need to serve our countries.” 134 Prophet Jeremiah, in his letter to all the

people, carried into captivity in different cities by King Nebuchadnezzar, urged the

children of God, to intercede for those particular countries. In his letter, God said, “Seek

the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its

behalf, for in its welfare you will have welfare.” 135 It is a shared responsibility for every

believer in pursuing the welfare of the country in which he/she resides.

They serve the world: The world would never be a better place until the believers

take their rightful positions. How many times has the United Nations tried to seek peace

on many borders of the world, but has failed? It is only the changed men and women that

can promote peace and bring hope to the dying world.

All over the world, there is chaos. From political unrest to climate change, believers

should arise, and add their voices. “For the creation waits,” exclaimed Apostle Paul, “in

133
Holman Christian Standard Bible Proverbs 29:2
134
Obama, Michell. Michelle Obama's Convention Speech.” (August 25,2008). Paragraph 27
135
New American Standard Bible Jeremiah 29:7

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eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” 136 They are impatiently

waiting for the sons of God. However, the question is, revealed of what? The expression

of God’s presence on earth. The manifestation of God’s wisdom, and His creative power.

The event of God’s divine ideas and God’s love. “As the believers fulfill their duties to

men, they perform, thereby God’s commandments.” 137 Martin Luther King Jr,

confronting the individualistic mindset of humanity, made it clear that;

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines
of individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” 138

If there is any time to arise out of individualistic fulfillment, it is now, or never.

136
Holy Bible, New International Versio. Romans 8:19
137
A. Khawaja, Mahboob. “Strange D-Day Celebrations: Mocking the Reasoned History.”
138
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Self-Centeredness.” Carriedawaydetriot, January 19, 2015.

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 TOPIC 9. SUGGESTIONS OF HOW TO PRESENT THE GOSPEL

In the epoch of artificial intelligence and the dawn of the fourth industrial

revolution, the need for the gospel message is a matter of great importance, like never

before. The assignment given to the body of Christ is to reach out to the ends of the

world with the Good News, which is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. In most

instances, the Christ presented to the mass majority is not the Christ of the Bible. Let me

sustain that.

When I listen to some of the Christian programs, I do not argue for the fact that

there are remarkable, and authentic voices, who are doing fantastic work — conceivably,

presenting the gospel to the finest of their abilities, using all means available at their

disposal. However, others are way far from that. Some of the gospel messages

proselytize on our screens and misrepresent Christ and the Christian faith. It generates

fear instead of faith. When the gospel message is taught appropriately, in its context and

simplicity, Christ is revealed, and men and women come to the Lord out of faith and not

fear.

One of the other things to consider is that it is not enough to preach the gospel

without living it. The most impactful way of presenting the gospel is to leave it. The

believing community should begin to live the practical gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The question every believer should ask is, why Jesus left them here? Christ left the saved

ones here on earth, to be God’s light, which will be shining in this dark world (Matthew

5:16). However, how can that be attained?

Firstly, the love of Christ should be shared abroad, within the hearts of all believers.

There is a great door opened, and a great harvest awaits the believers, but that is only

possible when the saved men and women enter by love, and not with hatred. The gospel

should not be in words only, but also it should be seen in the demonstration of practical

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love. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God could have chosen any other

means to deal with humanity, but He chose love. He approached the sinful man with His

love.

It is incredible what love can achieve when demonstrated toward people that do not

merit it. How can the gospel messages which encompass the love of God, shared with

people whose stomachs are empty? Now that leads to the practicality of the love of God.

Jesus demonstrated it throughout the gospels. After sharing the message of the father’s

love, he practically showed it. His words and His personality were not distinguishable.

Secondly, the carriers of the Good News should know and understand the

exclusivity of the Christian faith. The saved ones cannot give what they do not have and

cannot show others what they do not know.

Lastly, the focus should be on soul-winning. Every single man on the street is a

potential mission field and a precious soul to the Lord. Go straight for the souls, for that

is the mission. The purpose of presenting the gospel message should be abetting the lost

to find the way, which is Christ. The believers are soldiers in the army of the Lord. They

fight the good fight of faith in representing God’s kingdom on earth. It has on no

occasion been easy, and never will it be easy when it comes to soul-winning and the

proselytization of the gospel message.

This age has a lot of open doors with a lot of challenges equivalent to it. There are

numerous ways in which the gospel message can reach the multitude, but there are

hindrances as well. The army of the Lord must conquer in the midst of it all, and

navigate the gospel message through it, to the millions that have not yet received Christ,

as their Lord and Savior. The following are some suggestions the church should

consider, in other to be effective in the presentation of the gospel message to the age and

times in which we live today.

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 1. Spiritual

The body of Christ must return to what the Bible says and must act appropriately.

The above situation means recognizing that the salvation of the whole world rest on the

shoulders of the church, provided the church grows into spiritual maturity. There is a

need to understand that, for the church to be effective in presenting the gospel message,

spirituality is crucial.

Assuming the apostolic fathers, were to come back to life again and to observe our

church meetings. Would they identify the church at whose birth they had found it such a

joy to die for? Won't they ask, what has gone wrong? Won't they want to know, if this is

the church that once enthused the universe like flooding water? Is this the conquering

church that consumed them with its fire? The church must arise from her spiritual

obliviousness — the fire of the Holy Spirit is needed back in our churches today. We

will not be useful as we should if the church continues to live in boredom. The enemy of

our souls shall continue to prevail and send many to destruction. We have observed

around the world, the resistance against the preaching of the good news, and one thing is

clear; it is a battle against the Devil and his cohorts.

The Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian church about the activities of the

unseen world; made it clear that the devil is the force that works against the minds of the

unbelievers. In his message, he said;

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe
not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,
should shine unto them.” 139

Precisely is what the enemy has done. The Devil has deafened and kept many

under his snares, that hearing they may not understand. However, when the believers

139
King James Version 2 Corinthians 4:4

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grow into full maturity in Christ spiritually, praying, and discerning in the spirit, souls

shall be set free. As the Devil reinforces his resistance, the body of Christ must also

toughen her spiritual life. The understanding of the fact that God is counting on us to

reach out to the dying world we live in today should awaken the church. This situation

means that the approach how to present the gospel must upgrade. When prayers are sent

forth to the streets, and the corners of communities, cities, and the world, sharing the

gospel shall be effective. The church should win the battle spiritually first, before taking

the steps physically. Therefore, the church must grow its members to be spiritually

inclined for the following reasons:

a. To evangelize the lost and usher them into the kingdom of God.

b. To develop the spiritual lives of her members, so that, they may grow into full

maturity in Christ. Knowing and understanding that the salvation of the lost depends on

the maturity of the church.

c. To be able to defend and teach the truth in God’s word.

d. To be ready to “explain the hope of the believer.” 140 To be prepared to protect and

provide answers concerning the Christian faith.

2. Social

The believers’ relationship with the World is crucial to the effectiveness of the

gospel presentation. We may hold different religious views, but we all have an equal

alienable right before God. The church must educate its members on how to relate to the

non-believers. In most instances, there is a portrait painted for the unbelieving

communities, as if they are not worthy of a relationship to the body of Christ.

140
The Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1 Peter 3:13

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 This situation has erected boundaries and bridges on both sides. Although the

Apostle Paul cautioned the believers to be aware not to be unequally yoked with the

unbelievers, I am of the understanding that the text needs more in-depth knowledge. The

Apostle, addressing the Corinthian church about the resistances he has encountered, in

presenting the gospel, made it clear that he opened his heart and made room for the

unbelievers though, they had no place for him. He said;

“O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, and our heart is wide open, but
your affections have restricted you. Now in return for the same (I speak as to
children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with
unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And
what communion has light with darkness?” 141

Their hearts were opened to them, even though they were hostile to the

Apostles. Their message stood against hostility on many occasions, yet, they kept the

love and preached the gospel. Paul admonished the Corinthian church, not to be hostile

to the unbelievers as a response to their hostility. The Apostle urges them to open their

hearts, and not go the ways of the unbelievers. Unequally yoked, I believe Paul was

referring to the fact that the believers must not emulate the non-believers. Because, the

same writer stated, “To the weak, I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have

become all things to all people, by all means, I might save some. I do it all for the sake of

the gospel that I may share with them in its blessings.” 142

Paul was making it clear that believers are called to reach out to everyone,

irrespective of their attitude toward them. Here Paul was not objecting to the relationship

between the believing communities and the non-believers. He became like one of those

under the law. He went to the extent of becoming one of them, with the mindset of

141
New King James Version 2 Corinthians 6:11-14.
142
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

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winning them to the kingdom of God. Paul had a relationship with the non-believers, in

other to win them.

The gospel cannot impact the people we hate and judge. A healthier relationship

between both parties shall open the door for the greater harvest of souls. Most of the

time, some of the non-believers that show up in our church services go back home

without being observed by anyone. Every so often, we are so occupied and lose sight of

what God is doing outside the four corners of the church.

The church must learn to practice what its message teaches. If her words do not

correspond to actuality, why must people believe? The presentation of the gospel will

not be useful as it is expected to be if the lives of the believers are not in keeping with

what they preach.

It is distinctly demonstrated in the gospels, how Christ lived among sinners and His

relationship with sinners. The so-called good folks of His time were not in support of His

association with sinners, but Christ made it fathomable, He came for sinners. If Christ is

indeed the author of the Christian faith, then the church must learn not to excuse some of

the things He did on earth.

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 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I would like to make three things clear, which should be

comprehended by all men. Irrespective of the background, religion, race, and culture,

this truth should be embraced and made peace with it.

Firstly, outside Christ and His work on the cross, there is no peace between man

and God. God has no interest or is neither pleased with any form of performance on the

side of man, except His only begotten Son. God introduced His Son to humanity on the

mount of transfiguration. On the mount, Matthew gives what exactly took place. In his

narrative, he penned down these words spoken by God; “While he was going on like

this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the

cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, the focus of my delight. Listen to

him.” 143 God, in an audible voice, spoke to the disciples and said, anybody who wants to

know Him (God) should hear His Son. Christ is the only way through which all men can

see God and receive forgiveness for their sins.

Christ is God’s gift to humanity for the salvation of their souls. Sometimes it seems

like God’s solution to man’s predicament is so unassuming to the point that most people

find it challenging to be sure of this truth. The Acts of the Apostles, the fourth chapter,

and twelve verses boldly affirm; that there is no other name that has been given among

men who have the power to save except the Name Jesus Christ. A closer look at all the

religious leaders and messenger who has ever lived, which one among them brought a

solution to man’s problem? Or to save humanity from sin and death? No one except the

man Christ Jesus.

Christ audaciously declared Himself as the only Way, the only Truth and the Life.

If any man has Christ, the person has these three things; the person has found the way to

143
THE MESSAGE BIBLE Matthew 17:5

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His creator. Moreover, hence, he knows the way; he has the truth. What is the truth then?

The truth is, Christ gave His own life as a substitution for the sinful man. And the

individuals who have come in contact with these truths have passed from death to life. It

is unfortunate that, after years of Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross, many still do not

know the magnitude of God’s love manifested in His Son. And it is disheartening that

those who know do not also believe. The author of Hebrews reminds us of all the danger

which awaits us if we relinquish such an incredible sacrifice that Christ has offered unto

all. The author stated;

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at first began to be

spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.” 144

Secondly, salvation is not of works. If it is of work, how much work could that be?

No amount of good deeds or religious rituals can produce salvation for humanity.

Salvation is not a result of the effects of individual acts, but rather, the individual's deeds

are proof of one’s salvation through Christ Jesus. “It is not of works lest any man should

boast.” 145 What are we saved by then? By grace through faith in Christ’s work on the

cross. Salvation is purely by grace. Man did not merit such an unusual approach by God;

the Almighty bestowed it upon man by His immeasurable love. Christ did all the work

on behalf of man. If any man rests on the completed work of Christ on the rugged cross,

that person has the best countersignature in the world, because God Himself has

approved it. It is relatively unfortunate when men begin to search for salvation in their

self-righteous deeds instead of Christ’s.

Lastly, in my final thought, I would like to quote the words from Charles Spurgeon.

He said;

“IF YOU HAVE FOUND CHRIST, TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM, even as
Philip said to Nathanael, “We have found Him.” I have sometimes feared that
144
King James Version Hebrews 2:3
145
Ibid Ephesians 2:9

88
 some professing Christians fancy that they are to keep Christ all to themselves.
They seem to have an idea that heaven is where— “A little spot enclosed by
grace”— where only they and a small select company of like-minded persons
will gain admittance.” 146

The great commission is every believer’s mission after they have come to the

saving power of Christ. The essence of our calling out or separation from the world is to,

be equipped, and sent back to the world, for the salvation of others. Every lost man on

our streets is a mission field that needs to hear the gospel message. The primary purpose

of the existence of the church is to evangelize the lost world. Therefore, evangelism and

soul-winning are not for a selected few, but all believers.

Those above, are every believer’s business, to help win the lost, at any cost. We are

not called to defend the aerodynamics, though it might be necessary, neither to project

ourselves, nor to promote individual agendas, but to preach the simple gospel message,

which has the power to save. “For I am not ashamed,” exclaimed Apostle Paul, “of the

gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for

the Jew first and also for the Greek.” 147 What then one may say, is the gospel of Christ?

The gospel of Christ is what God offers to humanity, through the finished work of

His Son, on the cross. The message is clear and simple, the man’s depraved nature, the

need for repentance, and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ. If the church is

not busy preaching and teaching about the cross, then the church is ashamed of the

gospel. The church should be one, must be one, and can be one in fulfilling the great

commission. Only when Jesus Christ is made known through the gospel message; shall

the lost will be drawn up to God.

I suggest it is time to stop making a caricature, and a travesty of the gospel

message, and begin to present the Christ of the bible and His good news to the lost

146
H.Spurgeon, Charles. “FINDING AND FOLLOWING CHRIST.” NO. 3225. (1910). p.6 paragraph 2.
147
New King James Version Romans 1:16

89
world. If only the church of Jesus Christ shall put her house in order, we shall win the

kingdoms of this world, to the kingdom of our God.

90
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